Display MoreThe United States government is busy trolling its citizens with nonsensical construction in Washington DC so we thought it would be a good time to look a little further ahead in the city's culture. You see, Wing Commander III establishes something that seems increasingly unlikely thirty years on: Washington DC, the capital of the United States of America today, is the seat of government for the thousand star Terran Confederation! We see this in the game's losing endgame, where Kilrathi bombers savage the city as their warships loom overhead.
The United States Capitol opened in 1800, relocating the United States' capital from Philadelphia to the new purpose-constructed city of Washington. It was partially destroyed in 1814 during the War of 1812 but was rapidly restored. The rotunda opened in 1824 and the famous dome seen in this screenshot was completed just after the Civil War in 1866. It's a building that has seen and continues to see the both the best and the worst humanity has to offer.
One reason Wing Commander III's artists may have been so comfortable depicting the Capitol Building as the center of the Confederation's government is that it looks very, very similar to the Texas State Capitol which is located in downtown Austin, where Wing Commander III was made. Texans will tell you, however, that their version is by design actually just over 14 feet taller than the national version. Very Texas! They do not so frequently mention, however, the other difference: it's made from pink marble rather than white so it has a distinct color depending on the light.
The War of 1812 wasn't the only time the building was destroyed and rebuilt, either! Pilgrim Truth has it as the target of a terrorist attack in 2654, the same time as Wing Commander I.
“We interrupt this recorded broadcast to bring you a special report from CNH, Vega and Sol sectors.” The news hub emblem faded into the grim countenance of a young captain in dress blues. “This just confirmed from CNNH Sol sector: Three days ago CST, Pilgrim saboteurs gained access into the Hall of the Great Assembly, where they detonated a CF-three-two-seven-A explosive device, killing two hundred and twenty-nine senators, including the Assembly Master himself, Pequin Gydideron, and three representatives from the Pilgrim enclave Triune. The facility has been declared a disaster area by President Vasura, and as per the constitution, Vice-president Harold Rodham will assume the duties of Assembly Master until a new master is elected. Rodham has called for an emergency meeting of the surviving senators. Not since the first Pilgrim War have so many of our leaders been killed in one event.” President Vasura appeared in the holograph, standing behind a podium before throngs of reporters. “The Confederation we will mete out punishment to those behind this act of cowardice. The saboteurs themselves were merely instruments and gave their lives for their cause. Believe me when I say that those who sent them will make the same sacrifice.”Wing Commander IV greatly expands on all of this! When Blair lands to debate Tolwyn, we see that he flies down the National Mall from the Washington Monument heading towards the Capitol. We also see the Capitol Dome from inside the Great Assembly, suggesting that it is "behind" the actual building (seemingly where the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress are located today). Note that the Wing Commander III view of the building is the opposite side seen in Wing Commander IV. In WC3, you're looking towards the National Mall and in WC4 you're looking away from it.)
The brief clip is pretty surprising for anyone familiar with Washington DC because it seems the Smithsonian is totally gone! The National Mall remains but the buildings that surround it are all skyscrapers. They're slightly visible in the Wing Commander III shot (in ruins) but they're dense and packed together and exactly in the place of the present day museums. Restaurants and storefronts are visible, too, including a nightclub named PAULINE'S after Wing Commander IV artist Pauline Saab.
We can't confirm that the White House still exists, either, it just isn't visible. The only other familiar building is the Washington Monument, the impressive obelisk. Construction of the monument, which honors America's first president, began in 1848 and finished in 1877. It's a popular tourist destination today and it would seem the Terran Confederation still believes in memorializing George Washington. There's also a carrier named the TCS Washington mentioned in the Kilrathi Saga manual!
Finally, there's another familiar DC location mentioned in the novels. Dulles International Airport (IAD) appears as Washington Dulles Air and Space Port in Pilgrim Truth! The airport opened in 1962 and is named after former Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. Who, again, it seems is still honored in the 27th century!
The communications link defied conventional physics, andwhile Confed scientists struggled to figure out how the invadershad accomplished the feat of establishing instantaneousconnections with every Confederation and Kilrathi system,President Harold Rodham stood on the tarmac at Washington DullesAir and Space Port, waiting to receive one Ivar Chu McDaniel,purported leader of the Pilgrims.
One of the invaders" more nondescript troopships landed.An orifice appeared in the quavering fuselage, and out stepped akindred spirit, a man who, like Rodham, carried himself tootimidly to suggest that he led billions. Surprisingly enough,he came unarmed, without guards, and seemed unfazed by theMarines who hustled up beside him. “Mr. President,” he calledin a thin lilt, then advanced and extended his hand.No, wait! One more final note: interestingly, Wing Commander Academy planned to change the Confederation's seat to an orbital space station rather than Washington DC (even though it was developed in the wake of Wing Commander IV). The show's press kit defines "Terra Station" as "a city-sized space station/capital to orbit around Earth where the Terran Confederation Congress meets." This would've been part of a second season where we would've seen Blair's politician grandmother and anti-war protesters coming into conflict back at the home front.
