The Battle of Puebla on 5-5-1862 known as Cinco de Mayo was a Mexican military victory against the French led forces of King Napoleon III. The French had not lost a single battle since Napoleon Bonaparte lost the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Meanwhile in a parallel universe the French lead forces are able to defeat Mexico on 5-5-1862 leading to the eventual downfall of the Mexican government of President Benito Pablo Juárez García. A new rising star in the Mexican Army earns the title of President of Mexico in the newest colony of France. King Napoleon III has plans for a new alliance with the Confederate States of America, Britain, and Spain. A new war to recuperate Mexico’s lost lands from the Mexican American War of 1846 soon follows to distract the attention of the Mexicans.

A group of characters now must deal with the consequences of the defeat on 5-5-1862. Each of them will struggle to adjust to the news. Dulce María discovers a secret that her father Colonel Abraham is hiding in a hole in the wall. Cortez hides in the mountains of Queretaro, Mexico with the rest of the conservative rebels waiting to attack a nearby town to gather supplies for their lost cause. Eva saves the life of a thief by convincing her father that sometimes business comes before revenge. Major José intervenes to help a friend in a tough situation. Francisco earns the title of Mexican Supreme Court Justice after a killing. Enriqueta has a secret plan to preserve her family’s power in Mexico City. Captain Pablo finds a mysterious letter that promises an opportunity to enjoy one last prank before his retirement. Ophelia works as a nurse for the Confederate States of America during the time when the medical field does not accept women. Lyra helps to run a cotton and tobacco smuggling operation out of San Antonio, Texas into the port of Bagdad, Mexico to fool the naval blockade of the United States of America.

(Word Count 62, 509)