You know, I think you’re kidding, but I also think that if war elephants could turn the tide of a battle, war triceratops would be even cooler.
I’m glad someone else brought up the germ warfare. I considered it, but didn’t want to get labeled EVIL Evil.
Since I’m getting professional, though human, troops, I like to trade in another squad for a couple of speech writers and some gents from the ‘Ministry of Truth’.
The more I think about it, if I successfully conquered the ancient Egyptians I may not need to return to my own time. If I could get web access and rejuv treatments.
I’m on the “take over some place manageable with an industrial base and grow from there” wagon. I’d probably go for Japan some time in the fiftheenth century, and bring with me 100-200 industrial technology experts who could help me get the Japanese up to 19th-early 20th century technology. Then we could all go out and establish a Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere and work our way up from there.
Karma got me for it in the form of a messy backed up sewer line yesterday. On a weekend, of course, when plumbers are most expensive.
I’d prefer to have those guys armed with flintlocks and bayonets. Give me a few months to turn them into a well regulated force. We’ll also be requiring a few pieces of muzzleloading light field artillery.
From there, it is only a hop, skip, and jump to me being the Revered Speaker.
There is actually a short story that’s kinda like that. With a ‘time-machine’ they use to go back and take paintings, priceless gifts and such. They use the Aztecs for soldiers.
Now, does this time portal include immortality?
Of course not. This is a year-long (from your point of view) audition to get a Trusted Lieutenant job at Evil Enterprises Enc.
And how do you get immortality froma time-travel portal, anyway?
Um…when & where are you going that you can do any serious warlording with only 1500 guys armed with flintlocks & bayonets?
I’m not saying it’s impossible; I just want to know.
Don’t forget the light field artillery and may be a few horses. We will, of course, be taking over the Aztec Empire.
“Revered Speaker” is a title for their ruler I read somewhere. Possibly in a trashy novel.
The flintlock tech is simple and can be re-supplied from indigineous materials. It will also be easier to propagate amongst my new subjects. Then, when we sail east across the sea, our matured use of muzzloading weapons and bayonets will crush the matchlock-using Euros. Those swine will just be beginning the process of puzzling out how guns can best be used on the battlefield.
Oh, I had no clue. I was hoping you would know.