SOTF: The Program is set in an alternate reality where America is under the control of an authoritarian military regime, headed by a mysterious dictator known only as 'The General'. Much of the legislation of the government concerns the military and its affairs, and it encompasses a significant proportion of the country's way of life. Two five year periods of military service are compulsory for all, and may be called in at near any point in a person's life. Furthermore, the US incorporates a draft system, making it possible for even those who have served their ten years to be pressed back into military service. Crime is punished not by jail, but by years of service. All that is done, is done for the good of the American war machine.
Amidst all of the red tape and beareaucracy surrounding the military, one particular scheme stands apart, distinct. This is known as only 'The Program'.
Taking place four times a year, The Program is broadcast live on TV for its entire duration, whether that be seventeen hours or eleven days, four hours (the respective shortest and longest records). What happens during The Program? Up to fifty high school students between 10th and 12th grade take part in a deadly game. Kill or be killed - wipe one another out until only one is left standing.
The participants are selected by lottery. First the high school, then the year of the students are chosen. After that, the names of those who will be taking part in The Program are selected, and the students concerned taken by the military for transport to the location of the game. This takes place on specific dates known as Announcement Days, where every student from every high school in America will assemble at their respective schools to hear the results of the lottery announced live, sometimes by The General himself. Not attending an Announcement Day, irrespectively of whether or not you are chosen for The Program is an offence punishable by summary execution.
What you need to know/take note of for RPing purposes:
* The school/year of the students selected for the game will be announced ahead of time, so make sure you adhere to that when applying.
* Unless they are multiple generations in the US, students should not hail from a another country, and they should definitely not be on foreign exchange.
* It is a criminal offence to own a firearm if you are not military, so characters should not have any kind of expertise with guns unless it is extremely well justified.
* The Program is common knowledge, as it is a TV show as well as a government scheme. Announcement Day's are always on the same dates, so are also known.
* What happens to the winners is unknown. The locations are different every time. No prior indication is given of which schools will be chosen.
* Primary differences from this universe on our own are the justice system (offences punished by military service), firearm and travel restrictions (banned), military service (two compulsery five year terms), Internet restrictions. The kicking out of immigrants that weren't 'American enough' some fifty years ago, and a ban on foreign goods/media (unless doctored to seem American made). The government is not overly oppressive except for in these key areas.
* That said, anti-American material isn't allowed, for obvious reasons.
* Racism is quite institutional in Program America due to the emphasis on America being the greatest above all else. Whilst not state-sponsored, minorities tend to suffer from discrimination.
* Patriotism and the American way: War, are often drilled into children by parents, so you can take this into consideration.
* The Program has been in place since 2015. It is currently the year 2025.
* If there is anything you are unsure about or think needs to be added, please drop me a line and I will try to include it in the list.
Background & Setting: The RPing Stuff
American Colonised Territories
These areas are considered effectively part of the United States of America. They have been subjugated and/or annexed and pacified to the point where American citizens have been permitted to move there, should they so choose. Natives are considered to be American, but for obvious reasons, they are looked down upon and generally speaking treated with suspicion. It is also permitted to move to parts of the USA from these colonised territories, but this is very expensive and requires a rigorous background check to be passed.
* Canada
* Greenland
* Mexico
* Northern portions of South America, notably Venezuela and Colombia
* New Zealand
American Occupied Territories
These are areas under the control or largely under the control of the United States, but have not had sufficient infrastructure, government, personnel or general resources put into them to be considered viable living space for American citizens. Whilst this objective, to a greater or lesser extent, will be getting worked towards, suppression of resistance and maintaining order are considered to be first priority.
* Iceland
* Ireland
* Norway
* Sweden
Active Warzones
United States troops are committed in these countries. The conflicts might not be particularly active at any given moment, but they are nevertheless considered to be military operations. In the cases of fronts like Russia and parts of Africa, lines have remained static for years, and military bases have very nearly become towns in their own right. On others, there is near constant fierce fighting.
* Brazil and bordering countries.
* British Isles
* Large portions of North-Western Africa
* Western Russia
* Finland
* Denmark (at the border to Sweden)
These areas are considered effectively part of the United States of America. They have been subjugated and/or annexed and pacified to the point where American citizens have been permitted to move there, should they so choose. Natives are considered to be American, but for obvious reasons, they are looked down upon and generally speaking treated with suspicion. It is also permitted to move to parts of the USA from these colonised territories, but this is very expensive and requires a rigorous background check to be passed.
* Canada
* Greenland
* Mexico
* Northern portions of South America, notably Venezuela and Colombia
* New Zealand
American Occupied Territories
These are areas under the control or largely under the control of the United States, but have not had sufficient infrastructure, government, personnel or general resources put into them to be considered viable living space for American citizens. Whilst this objective, to a greater or lesser extent, will be getting worked towards, suppression of resistance and maintaining order are considered to be first priority.
* Iceland
* Ireland
* Norway
* Sweden
Active Warzones
United States troops are committed in these countries. The conflicts might not be particularly active at any given moment, but they are nevertheless considered to be military operations. In the cases of fronts like Russia and parts of Africa, lines have remained static for years, and military bases have very nearly become towns in their own right. On others, there is near constant fierce fighting.
* Brazil and bordering countries.
* British Isles
* Large portions of North-Western Africa
* Western Russia
* Finland
* Denmark (at the border to Sweden)
1946 - In the wake of World War Two, the USA becomes yet more isolationist and guarded. The feeling among the public and government is that Europe and Asia are a powder keg, and do not want to be dragged into yet another war. Equipped with the Atomic Bomb, the USA has all the security it needs to end a conflict if it happens to arise.
1947 - Relations with Russia begin to deteriorate, sparked by the Soviets' pursuit of their own nuclear weaponry.
1953 - D. van Marr, a decorated WW2 officer, is elected as president. The isolationist policy continues, even amidst the beginnings of a Russian cold war.
1955 - D. van Marr is killed after an explosion at a military inspection. Although official reports indicate an accident, mass paranoia and fearmongering ensues from the populace.
1957 - James G Walsh is elected president on a militantly nationalistic platform exploiting the fears of US citizens of foreign plots. Although his detractors decry him as a sabre-rattler, Walsh's rhetoric and pro-defence, pro-military economy policies are popular.
1960 - President Walsh severs diplomatic ties with most other countries, stating that America's foreign policy should be self-evident by now.
1962 - US troops cross the Canadian border. Although no fighting takes place, the action is condemned by the Canadian government and agitates the anti-Walsh factions of the US government.
1964 - President Walsh announces he will be running for a third term, indicating that he feels America still needs his strong leadership. This divides his supporters and heightens the concerns of those who dislike his aggressive attitude and fear he is leading the country back to war. Several other candidates arise as potential opponents to him.
1965 - Whilst on the campaign trail and only a few months before the election, President Walsh is assassinated at a rally. Russian agents are implicated, although Russia categorically denies any wrongdoing. The public explode in outrage and turn to Tobias M Patterson, the candidate whose policies aligned most closely with Walsh's and had already been considered heir apparent prior to Walsh's announcement. Patterson is elected in a landslide.
1966 - President Patterson escalates Walsh's approach to foreign policy, closing the borders and beginning to rapidly build up the military. Most dissenters fall in line to Patterson's no-nonsense attitude.
1968 - President Patterson invokes his position as commander-in-chief and makes official what was already a media habit of calling him 'General Patterson'. He states that America is at war already, and needs a leader for wartime.
1969 - Patterson is reelected handily. He responds by rallying the populace against their 'closest enemies', citing insurgents and also the foreign powers with which the US shares its borders. Excursions into Canada resume and Mexico begins.
1974 - Patterson succeeds where Walsh had not and is elected for a third term. Unlike Walsh, the proportion of dissent is much less, especially as Patterson repeatedly invokes Walsh's memory as his 'friend and mentor' and that he is now finishing what Walsh started.
1975 - Mass expulsion of immigrants from the USA begins. Most first and second generation families with origins outside of America are deported, mostly to the United Kingdom and Europe.
1977 - Canada officially declares hostility against the US due to the repeated border violations. However, before they can bring any support or even properly deploy their army, the US military responds with overwhelming force. Canada is occupied in a matter of months and surrenders.
1978 - Emboldened by this success, the US invades Mexico, swiftly crushing their much-smaller army and occupying the country. Russia, backed by a confederation of European countries, demands that the US withdraw. The US replies that they answer to demands from no-one.
1979 - Lacking cohesion and faith in Russian leadership, the coalition takes some months to mobilize, some countries join the war effort only nominally. The coalition navy suffers heavy damage in US bombing runs. Several countries split off and the effort falls apart entirely. No cessation of hostilities is officially made, but in practice the war is over by the end of the year.
1980 - With no coalition activity through the first half of 1980, the US solidify their hold on Mexico and Canada.
1982 - The US attacks Russian assets in the Bering Strait and subsequently establishes a beachhead on the coast of Russia. Fierce fighting erupts.
1983 - The British navy clashes with the US as they supply the Russian front. Patterson makes a series of speeches decrying the British and warning that there would be severe consequences.
1986 - General Patterson dies after a short illness. Vice President Carl Lawrence steps in, focusing on consolidating the existing US operations overseas and supporting ongoing incursions into South America.
1987 - Lawrence is fully invested at the mid-term elections and adopts the moniker of General Lawrence. He continues his conservative and cautious approach to foreign policy, focusing on domestic policy, especially in the recently-conquered regions. Under Lawrence, the step to officially annex Canada and Mexico begins, along with the movement of nationals across these borders after he pronounces the entire continent to be one American country. Sporadic clashes with British ships continue during this time.
1989 - Amidst criticism of his careful nature, allowances for 'internal immigration' and perceived lack of support for the Russian front, Lawrence declines to stand for reelection. A hotly contested race sees Jacob Tyler take a majority. He sets about implementing a mandatory term of service for US citizens, a highly controversial move that deadlocks the Senate and the House for over a year and a half.
1990 - During his attempts to put through the draft bill, General Tyler begins to focus on domestic protesters and objectors as being 'dissident' and 'anti-American', urging the nation to report and shun this kind of unpatriotic and potentially-traitorous behaviour. It is around this time the title of President is almost universally supplanted by that of General in legislation.
1991 - An attempted campaign deeper into Russia goes disastrously wrong after US shipping is again inhibited by the British. The offensive is such a severe failure that the US forces actually lose ground to the Russian counterattack. Tyler deftly whips up public opinion against the opponents of his bill, claiming that if they'd had the additional manpower the draft would have provided, they would not have lost. The bill passes in the next two months and the mandatory 5 year service begins.
1992 - Resurgent through the recruitment drive, the US make gains on most fronts throughout the year. An African Expeditionary Force is formed to commence operations on the African continent. Notably, the US navy manages to pin back Britain's ageing fleet, finally clearing the shipping lanes.
1993 - Tyler dies suddenly. Foul play is suspected given his relative youth and hardline militaristic approach. However, no hard evidence is uncovered. A chaotic succession crisis ensues as the vice president immediately resigns and military and public officials jockey for position.
1994 - A frontrunner emerges in Clark Marius, an officer well-regarded for his service in Russia. Although severe in manner, he gains support through his crisp and disciplined public appearances and frank honesty about his planned policies. He is eventually elected General, and before the end of the year, has already successfully established an additional front in Scandinavia and solidified the US position in South America.
1995 - Mandatory service is increased to two 5 year tours of duty.
1996 - Additional military service for criminal activity is introduced into law.
1999 - General Marius, having been reelected the previous year, begins to crack down internally. Although the closed borders had already led to limited traffic, foreign and government-critical media is now confiscated. Those refusing to hand over such prohibited materials are hit with military sentences, those hiding them more so, and those producing them most of all.
2001 - The African Expeditionary Force bogs down and sets down roots which persist to the present day.
2002 - The USA successfully makes land in Ireland. A lightning strike is attempted to push through the country and use it as a stepping stone to the UK, but a fierce counteroffensive stalls the Americans out. By the time the country is brought under occupation, the British navy and RAF has had time to mobilise.
2003 - Marius is reelected.
2005 - A naval attack on Wales and Cornwall is repelled by the UK. Forces in Scandinavia gain ground.
2007 - Marius is reelected. It is around this time he begins to be referred to as simply 'The General'.
2014 - Colonel David Adams raises the idea of The Program as a tool to continue to regulate the populace and instill in them that their duty to their country comes above all else. It is approved at the highest levels inside seven months.
2015 - Version One of the Program.
2023 - The General begins his seventh term in office.
2025 - The US suffers a debilitating defeat in South America. Military defectors are blamed, but regardless of the source, the USA loses its foothold in several countries. Brazil, previously a full-fledged part of the United States, becomes an active warzone.
2025 - Present Day
1947 - Relations with Russia begin to deteriorate, sparked by the Soviets' pursuit of their own nuclear weaponry.
1953 - D. van Marr, a decorated WW2 officer, is elected as president. The isolationist policy continues, even amidst the beginnings of a Russian cold war.
1955 - D. van Marr is killed after an explosion at a military inspection. Although official reports indicate an accident, mass paranoia and fearmongering ensues from the populace.
1957 - James G Walsh is elected president on a militantly nationalistic platform exploiting the fears of US citizens of foreign plots. Although his detractors decry him as a sabre-rattler, Walsh's rhetoric and pro-defence, pro-military economy policies are popular.
1960 - President Walsh severs diplomatic ties with most other countries, stating that America's foreign policy should be self-evident by now.
1962 - US troops cross the Canadian border. Although no fighting takes place, the action is condemned by the Canadian government and agitates the anti-Walsh factions of the US government.
1964 - President Walsh announces he will be running for a third term, indicating that he feels America still needs his strong leadership. This divides his supporters and heightens the concerns of those who dislike his aggressive attitude and fear he is leading the country back to war. Several other candidates arise as potential opponents to him.
1965 - Whilst on the campaign trail and only a few months before the election, President Walsh is assassinated at a rally. Russian agents are implicated, although Russia categorically denies any wrongdoing. The public explode in outrage and turn to Tobias M Patterson, the candidate whose policies aligned most closely with Walsh's and had already been considered heir apparent prior to Walsh's announcement. Patterson is elected in a landslide.
1966 - President Patterson escalates Walsh's approach to foreign policy, closing the borders and beginning to rapidly build up the military. Most dissenters fall in line to Patterson's no-nonsense attitude.
1968 - President Patterson invokes his position as commander-in-chief and makes official what was already a media habit of calling him 'General Patterson'. He states that America is at war already, and needs a leader for wartime.
1969 - Patterson is reelected handily. He responds by rallying the populace against their 'closest enemies', citing insurgents and also the foreign powers with which the US shares its borders. Excursions into Canada resume and Mexico begins.
1974 - Patterson succeeds where Walsh had not and is elected for a third term. Unlike Walsh, the proportion of dissent is much less, especially as Patterson repeatedly invokes Walsh's memory as his 'friend and mentor' and that he is now finishing what Walsh started.
1975 - Mass expulsion of immigrants from the USA begins. Most first and second generation families with origins outside of America are deported, mostly to the United Kingdom and Europe.
1977 - Canada officially declares hostility against the US due to the repeated border violations. However, before they can bring any support or even properly deploy their army, the US military responds with overwhelming force. Canada is occupied in a matter of months and surrenders.
1978 - Emboldened by this success, the US invades Mexico, swiftly crushing their much-smaller army and occupying the country. Russia, backed by a confederation of European countries, demands that the US withdraw. The US replies that they answer to demands from no-one.
1979 - Lacking cohesion and faith in Russian leadership, the coalition takes some months to mobilize, some countries join the war effort only nominally. The coalition navy suffers heavy damage in US bombing runs. Several countries split off and the effort falls apart entirely. No cessation of hostilities is officially made, but in practice the war is over by the end of the year.
1980 - With no coalition activity through the first half of 1980, the US solidify their hold on Mexico and Canada.
1982 - The US attacks Russian assets in the Bering Strait and subsequently establishes a beachhead on the coast of Russia. Fierce fighting erupts.
1983 - The British navy clashes with the US as they supply the Russian front. Patterson makes a series of speeches decrying the British and warning that there would be severe consequences.
1986 - General Patterson dies after a short illness. Vice President Carl Lawrence steps in, focusing on consolidating the existing US operations overseas and supporting ongoing incursions into South America.
1987 - Lawrence is fully invested at the mid-term elections and adopts the moniker of General Lawrence. He continues his conservative and cautious approach to foreign policy, focusing on domestic policy, especially in the recently-conquered regions. Under Lawrence, the step to officially annex Canada and Mexico begins, along with the movement of nationals across these borders after he pronounces the entire continent to be one American country. Sporadic clashes with British ships continue during this time.
1989 - Amidst criticism of his careful nature, allowances for 'internal immigration' and perceived lack of support for the Russian front, Lawrence declines to stand for reelection. A hotly contested race sees Jacob Tyler take a majority. He sets about implementing a mandatory term of service for US citizens, a highly controversial move that deadlocks the Senate and the House for over a year and a half.
1990 - During his attempts to put through the draft bill, General Tyler begins to focus on domestic protesters and objectors as being 'dissident' and 'anti-American', urging the nation to report and shun this kind of unpatriotic and potentially-traitorous behaviour. It is around this time the title of President is almost universally supplanted by that of General in legislation.
1991 - An attempted campaign deeper into Russia goes disastrously wrong after US shipping is again inhibited by the British. The offensive is such a severe failure that the US forces actually lose ground to the Russian counterattack. Tyler deftly whips up public opinion against the opponents of his bill, claiming that if they'd had the additional manpower the draft would have provided, they would not have lost. The bill passes in the next two months and the mandatory 5 year service begins.
1992 - Resurgent through the recruitment drive, the US make gains on most fronts throughout the year. An African Expeditionary Force is formed to commence operations on the African continent. Notably, the US navy manages to pin back Britain's ageing fleet, finally clearing the shipping lanes.
1993 - Tyler dies suddenly. Foul play is suspected given his relative youth and hardline militaristic approach. However, no hard evidence is uncovered. A chaotic succession crisis ensues as the vice president immediately resigns and military and public officials jockey for position.
1994 - A frontrunner emerges in Clark Marius, an officer well-regarded for his service in Russia. Although severe in manner, he gains support through his crisp and disciplined public appearances and frank honesty about his planned policies. He is eventually elected General, and before the end of the year, has already successfully established an additional front in Scandinavia and solidified the US position in South America.
1995 - Mandatory service is increased to two 5 year tours of duty.
1996 - Additional military service for criminal activity is introduced into law.
1999 - General Marius, having been reelected the previous year, begins to crack down internally. Although the closed borders had already led to limited traffic, foreign and government-critical media is now confiscated. Those refusing to hand over such prohibited materials are hit with military sentences, those hiding them more so, and those producing them most of all.
2001 - The African Expeditionary Force bogs down and sets down roots which persist to the present day.
2002 - The USA successfully makes land in Ireland. A lightning strike is attempted to push through the country and use it as a stepping stone to the UK, but a fierce counteroffensive stalls the Americans out. By the time the country is brought under occupation, the British navy and RAF has had time to mobilise.
2003 - Marius is reelected.
2005 - A naval attack on Wales and Cornwall is repelled by the UK. Forces in Scandinavia gain ground.
2007 - Marius is reelected. It is around this time he begins to be referred to as simply 'The General'.
2014 - Colonel David Adams raises the idea of The Program as a tool to continue to regulate the populace and instill in them that their duty to their country comes above all else. It is approved at the highest levels inside seven months.
2015 - Version One of the Program.
2023 - The General begins his seventh term in office.
2025 - The US suffers a debilitating defeat in South America. Military defectors are blamed, but regardless of the source, the USA loses its foothold in several countries. Brazil, previously a full-fledged part of the United States, becomes an active warzone.
2025 - Present Day
Britain Timeline
1946 - Exhausted by the heavy fighting in World War Two, Britain withdraws from most international politics, focusing on domestic policy, the Commonwealth, and what remains of the British Empire. This aligns with the popular electoral platform under which Prime Minister Reginald Runceforth was elected.
1948 - Runceforth continues to execute upon these policies, to less popular acclaim and more contention when it becomes clear that he and his party intend on moving towards outright independence for territories such as India. Disputes and parliamentary deadlock over these policies and bills occupy the vast majority of Britain's politics over the next few years.
1962 - A statement is released criticising the US army's actions by trespassing a Commonwealth country in Canada, but no additional action is taken.
1965 - After President Walsh's assassination, the UK attempt to reopen diplomatic ties with the USA by offering a state visit and the country's condolences from reigning monarch King Charles III and incumbent Prime Minister Harrington. The response from the US is stony silence.
1975 - The UK bears a significant proportion of the fallout from the USA's expulsion of their 'Non-American' citizens. Charles III declares it to be a humanitarian crisis. Although production had never stopped, Britain begins to rapidly accelerate its Royal Navy and Royal Air Force programs.
1977 - Prime Minister Wright dithers over the US invasion of Canada and Parliament ends up deadlocked over Britain's response. Before the debate can end, the war is already over. Wright's support amongst his own ministers utterly disintegrates, and the government promptly collapses into a leadership struggle, with calls alternatively going out for a general election, Wright to resign or for an internal election within the Conservative party.
1978 - Wracked by this internal turmoil, Britain fails to respond to Russia's call to action, which only further harms the government perception in the eyes of the public. This political upheaval is compounded as the elderly Charles III passes away from natural causes, adding a succession to the list of political issues.
1979 - Emerging from the ashes are Prime Minister Victor Cheddingham and Charles III's son, Edward IX. Edward is a much more politically active force than his father, and swiftly establishes a close friendship with Cheddingham. The monarchy's influence slowly develops on British politics, largely as a result of popular support for the king; most Britons having grown extremely disenchanted with Parliament's inaction over US aggression.
1983 - An encounter in the Pacific Ocean between the Royal Navy and the US Navy goes sour after US supply ships take an aggressive stance towards British vessels. The situation rapidly deteriorates and shots are exchanged, with the US coming off worse due to their inferior armaments. Cheddingham cautiously backs the naval officers responsible for the decision, and there is a wave of support among a populace for whom the deportation crisis and invasion of Canada are still fresh in the memory.
1991 - After a series of clashes with US shipping over the previous eight years, the British strike a severe blow against a US naval convoy, sinking two large vessels and forcing the others to retreat. As a result, supplies to the Russian front are entirely cut off for the USA's ongoing offensive and a major defeat is suffered. Cheddingham's successor, Neville Bosley is acclaimed for this action, and royal/government ties are strengthened further.
1992 - Bosley's cavalier and overconfident attitude results in some conflict between the government and military. The British Navy, beginning to be outstripped by the USA's financial muscle for military spending, finally begins to lose ground after several ill-advised engagements.
1993 - Bosley resigns under increasing pressure from the cabinet. His rapid fall contributes further to the unstable state of the government and lack of decisive leadership.
1995 - An increasingly infirm King Edward IX is declared incapable. His sons, George and William are named as regents in his name.
1999 - King Edward dies. George VII is crowned.
2002 - The USA invades Ireland. Although they make a successful naval landing, the forces in Northern Ireland take severe casualities from the fortified coastal defences, whilst in the Republic, they are pushed back by a huge counterattack. A beachhead is successfully established, but by that time, the UK has mobilised the royal navy and RAF.
2005 - George VII suffers a car accident and later dies of his injuries in hospital. As he was childless at the time of his death, he was succeeded by his younger brother William IV. The USA promptly take the opportunity to launch an attack on Wales and Cornwall, which is rebuffed.
2009 - America, continually unable to breach the defensive naval perimeter on the west coast of the UK, begins air raids out of Ireland. These continue semi-regularly up until the present day. The RAF frequently engage with US aircraft over the channel and Ireland.
2011 - C.S Archibald is elected Prime Minister at the head of a Conservative government focused heavily around defence and a 'stalwart resistance against the US threat'.
2015 - Britain is one among many countries in the international community to condemn the launch of the Program, and it is used prominently in anti-American rhetoric and media.
2020 - William IV's only son, Charles, is killed after a ship-launching ceremony is interrupted by a US air raid. King William, insisting on addressing the matter on television, launches a furious and emotionally charged tirade at the USA and the General, declaring that Britain will stop at nothing to see the United States' warmongering brought to an end.
2022 - William IV, having become increasingly isolated, stressed and unhealthy since Charles' death, passes away from an undisclosed illness. He is succeeded by Anne-Marie, Charles' eldest child.
2023 - The United People's party overturns the Conservative government by a slender majority. Their platform focuses on reaching out to other countries, restoring diplomatic relations long left strained by Britain's absence from the Russian coalition in the 70s, as well as supporting the wartorn areas of the country. The new Prime Minister, Clemence Vokes, makes an energetic and positive speech about unity going forward and the importance of pulling together both in Britain and globally.
2025 - Present day.
Life in Programverse Britain
Britain in 2025 is a diverse and proud place to live. Its citizens view their country as one of the first and best lines of defence against the US war machine, and many of them harbour extremely strong anti-USA sentiments. Given the frequent bombing raids on mainland Britain and the prevalence within the population of Irish refugees and deported former US citizens, this perhaps shouldn't be such a surprise. From time to time, these attitudes can come across as overblown and nationalistic, with certain individuals cultivating a mentality that Britain is the only country capable of standing up to the USA. This was not helped by the previous monarch, William IV, who frequently spoke out against America and rallied his country's support.
However, in recent times, this approach has somewhat softened. The United People's Party, the current government, has made a lot of effort in extending diplomatic relations back out to Britain's nearest neighbours. Some have viewed this as Britain showing weakness, finally realising they cannot stand on their own, but UPP politicians have argued back strongly that Britain shares a common enemy with many other countries, and that unity is more important than ever. This stance has been supported by the new monarch, Queen Anne-Marie, and is steadily gaining traction. Although the UPP only narrowly won the 2023 election, there has been a lot of positivity around the new government, Prime Minister Vokes is particularly popular, and the Queen's support has done them no harm.
US air raids sadly remain a common threat. Although at times there are only token shows of force over periods of several months, there will on occasion be much more severe campaigns for weeks at a time. British citizens have become well-versed in attending to air raid sirens and taking shelter in purpose-built bunkers to protect them. Britain's anti-air defence has become very effective at mitigating damage from missiles and bombs, but so too have the US bombers gained experience and knowledge in flight paths and gaps in radar systems. From time to time, this will develop into full scale air battles between the US Air Force and RAF. Nevertheless, bombs still do get through, and most British towns and cities are in a constant state of construction and rebuilding to repair the damage that has added up over many years of attacks. The RAF are very popular amongst the populace, as they are seen as heroes on the forefront of defensive lines.
There is not much movement in or out of the country in terms of international travel. Prospective immigrants are vetted with intense scrutiny into their backgrounds, and there are many restrictions for those simply visiting. Although the UK does what it can to harbour Irish and Northern Irish refugees, there is once again a lengthy and unpleasant process to ensure that there are no American spies amongst them. This state of affairs is a little against type for Britain; prior to the Americans' arrival in Ireland, it was relatively easy to pass through the country, and many existing residents are second or even third generation descendants of refugees taken in from the 'non-American' purges of the 70s.
1946 - Exhausted by the heavy fighting in World War Two, Britain withdraws from most international politics, focusing on domestic policy, the Commonwealth, and what remains of the British Empire. This aligns with the popular electoral platform under which Prime Minister Reginald Runceforth was elected.
1948 - Runceforth continues to execute upon these policies, to less popular acclaim and more contention when it becomes clear that he and his party intend on moving towards outright independence for territories such as India. Disputes and parliamentary deadlock over these policies and bills occupy the vast majority of Britain's politics over the next few years.
1962 - A statement is released criticising the US army's actions by trespassing a Commonwealth country in Canada, but no additional action is taken.
1965 - After President Walsh's assassination, the UK attempt to reopen diplomatic ties with the USA by offering a state visit and the country's condolences from reigning monarch King Charles III and incumbent Prime Minister Harrington. The response from the US is stony silence.
1975 - The UK bears a significant proportion of the fallout from the USA's expulsion of their 'Non-American' citizens. Charles III declares it to be a humanitarian crisis. Although production had never stopped, Britain begins to rapidly accelerate its Royal Navy and Royal Air Force programs.
1977 - Prime Minister Wright dithers over the US invasion of Canada and Parliament ends up deadlocked over Britain's response. Before the debate can end, the war is already over. Wright's support amongst his own ministers utterly disintegrates, and the government promptly collapses into a leadership struggle, with calls alternatively going out for a general election, Wright to resign or for an internal election within the Conservative party.
1978 - Wracked by this internal turmoil, Britain fails to respond to Russia's call to action, which only further harms the government perception in the eyes of the public. This political upheaval is compounded as the elderly Charles III passes away from natural causes, adding a succession to the list of political issues.
1979 - Emerging from the ashes are Prime Minister Victor Cheddingham and Charles III's son, Edward IX. Edward is a much more politically active force than his father, and swiftly establishes a close friendship with Cheddingham. The monarchy's influence slowly develops on British politics, largely as a result of popular support for the king; most Britons having grown extremely disenchanted with Parliament's inaction over US aggression.
1983 - An encounter in the Pacific Ocean between the Royal Navy and the US Navy goes sour after US supply ships take an aggressive stance towards British vessels. The situation rapidly deteriorates and shots are exchanged, with the US coming off worse due to their inferior armaments. Cheddingham cautiously backs the naval officers responsible for the decision, and there is a wave of support among a populace for whom the deportation crisis and invasion of Canada are still fresh in the memory.
1991 - After a series of clashes with US shipping over the previous eight years, the British strike a severe blow against a US naval convoy, sinking two large vessels and forcing the others to retreat. As a result, supplies to the Russian front are entirely cut off for the USA's ongoing offensive and a major defeat is suffered. Cheddingham's successor, Neville Bosley is acclaimed for this action, and royal/government ties are strengthened further.
1992 - Bosley's cavalier and overconfident attitude results in some conflict between the government and military. The British Navy, beginning to be outstripped by the USA's financial muscle for military spending, finally begins to lose ground after several ill-advised engagements.
1993 - Bosley resigns under increasing pressure from the cabinet. His rapid fall contributes further to the unstable state of the government and lack of decisive leadership.
1995 - An increasingly infirm King Edward IX is declared incapable. His sons, George and William are named as regents in his name.
1999 - King Edward dies. George VII is crowned.
2002 - The USA invades Ireland. Although they make a successful naval landing, the forces in Northern Ireland take severe casualities from the fortified coastal defences, whilst in the Republic, they are pushed back by a huge counterattack. A beachhead is successfully established, but by that time, the UK has mobilised the royal navy and RAF.
2005 - George VII suffers a car accident and later dies of his injuries in hospital. As he was childless at the time of his death, he was succeeded by his younger brother William IV. The USA promptly take the opportunity to launch an attack on Wales and Cornwall, which is rebuffed.
2009 - America, continually unable to breach the defensive naval perimeter on the west coast of the UK, begins air raids out of Ireland. These continue semi-regularly up until the present day. The RAF frequently engage with US aircraft over the channel and Ireland.
2011 - C.S Archibald is elected Prime Minister at the head of a Conservative government focused heavily around defence and a 'stalwart resistance against the US threat'.
2015 - Britain is one among many countries in the international community to condemn the launch of the Program, and it is used prominently in anti-American rhetoric and media.
2020 - William IV's only son, Charles, is killed after a ship-launching ceremony is interrupted by a US air raid. King William, insisting on addressing the matter on television, launches a furious and emotionally charged tirade at the USA and the General, declaring that Britain will stop at nothing to see the United States' warmongering brought to an end.
2022 - William IV, having become increasingly isolated, stressed and unhealthy since Charles' death, passes away from an undisclosed illness. He is succeeded by Anne-Marie, Charles' eldest child.
2023 - The United People's party overturns the Conservative government by a slender majority. Their platform focuses on reaching out to other countries, restoring diplomatic relations long left strained by Britain's absence from the Russian coalition in the 70s, as well as supporting the wartorn areas of the country. The new Prime Minister, Clemence Vokes, makes an energetic and positive speech about unity going forward and the importance of pulling together both in Britain and globally.
2025 - Present day.
Life in Programverse Britain
Britain in 2025 is a diverse and proud place to live. Its citizens view their country as one of the first and best lines of defence against the US war machine, and many of them harbour extremely strong anti-USA sentiments. Given the frequent bombing raids on mainland Britain and the prevalence within the population of Irish refugees and deported former US citizens, this perhaps shouldn't be such a surprise. From time to time, these attitudes can come across as overblown and nationalistic, with certain individuals cultivating a mentality that Britain is the only country capable of standing up to the USA. This was not helped by the previous monarch, William IV, who frequently spoke out against America and rallied his country's support.
However, in recent times, this approach has somewhat softened. The United People's Party, the current government, has made a lot of effort in extending diplomatic relations back out to Britain's nearest neighbours. Some have viewed this as Britain showing weakness, finally realising they cannot stand on their own, but UPP politicians have argued back strongly that Britain shares a common enemy with many other countries, and that unity is more important than ever. This stance has been supported by the new monarch, Queen Anne-Marie, and is steadily gaining traction. Although the UPP only narrowly won the 2023 election, there has been a lot of positivity around the new government, Prime Minister Vokes is particularly popular, and the Queen's support has done them no harm.
US air raids sadly remain a common threat. Although at times there are only token shows of force over periods of several months, there will on occasion be much more severe campaigns for weeks at a time. British citizens have become well-versed in attending to air raid sirens and taking shelter in purpose-built bunkers to protect them. Britain's anti-air defence has become very effective at mitigating damage from missiles and bombs, but so too have the US bombers gained experience and knowledge in flight paths and gaps in radar systems. From time to time, this will develop into full scale air battles between the US Air Force and RAF. Nevertheless, bombs still do get through, and most British towns and cities are in a constant state of construction and rebuilding to repair the damage that has added up over many years of attacks. The RAF are very popular amongst the populace, as they are seen as heroes on the forefront of defensive lines.
There is not much movement in or out of the country in terms of international travel. Prospective immigrants are vetted with intense scrutiny into their backgrounds, and there are many restrictions for those simply visiting. Although the UK does what it can to harbour Irish and Northern Irish refugees, there is once again a lengthy and unpleasant process to ensure that there are no American spies amongst them. This state of affairs is a little against type for Britain; prior to the Americans' arrival in Ireland, it was relatively easy to pass through the country, and many existing residents are second or even third generation descendants of refugees taken in from the 'non-American' purges of the 70s.