Arise o'glorious Hapes!
Category: HNN Broadcasted on 27. October 2008 - 16:16:13hrs Author HNN News Reporter Comments: 0
The Hapan News Network logo appears on your screen and then slowly dissolves into a live scene of Chume’Dan. Anacia Chalcedon sits in an elevated newsroom with a view of the former Royal residence, the Castle of Per’Agthra in the background. Behind her the view occasionally shifts to that of the Fountain Palace and its surrounding gardens where massive crowds of Hapans have gathered at the base of the steps to the compound, and are awaiting eagerly the events of the day.
”Greetings again fellow Hapans, and welcome to today’s broadcast. I am live from the Fountain Palace, and am sitting just a short distance away from where all of this most important of Hapan ceremonies will be taking place. All of Hapes has wondered, since the resignation of Lord Regent Zell Jaak, if His Majesty King Jessy James would even name a new Regent, not to mention all of the questions surrounding whom that person might be. Today we will see the answer played out before our eyes here in the Royal Throne room of the Fountain Palace.
Lord Alexander Tylger, today will be made Lord Regent of the Hapes Consortium. Lord Tylger currently serves as Minister of the Interior and head of the Noble House – House Tylger, but has an extensive resume in both the galaxy at large and within the confines of the cluster. He was born to Lord Laz Tylger and Lady Xalil Tylger, and grew up among the nobles at the Royal Court of Princess Lana Da’tanah, then leader of the Draconian Union. His formative years instilled a staunch conservatism in him that has served to both promote and frustrate aspects of his political career. His most significant service to the Consortium has included time in, what was then, the Royal Hapan Navy; as Archon of the Rim Worlds; as Minister of Culture; and to an even greater extent as Prime Minister of Hapes. All of those achievements and service will culminate in a few moments with his being named Lord Regent.
The role of the Lord Regent is to rule all of the Consortium with the same authority and power that the King has in times when His Majesty is absent or unable to rule. In addition, and more relevant to our daily lives, the Lord Regent rules as a partner to the King, working together for the good of the cluster.
I’m getting word that the ceremony is beginning at any moment, so let’s take the broadcast inside.”
As the scene shift to that of the Royal Throne Room, you see that it has been intricately decorated. No detail has been left unattended to for this occasion. Light streams into the room from high windows, flowers from every region of Hapes surround the base of the columns, a long red carpet inlaid with the golden symbols of Hapes throughout its history runs through the center of the room leading directly to the thrones of the King and Queen. The Phoenix Guard stands at the entrances and along the walls of the room, dressed in their formal uniforms. Next to King James’ throne Lord Firecam stands in full ceremonial uniform. Sitting on their thrones, King James, Queen Victoria and Prince Orion are the picture of Royal grace and dignity.
To one side of the chamber Lord Tylger’s family is seated in a place of honor. On the other side of the chamber the members Hapan nobility and members of the Royal Council sit. All of Hapes has turned out for the event. Dressed in their full ceremonial royal clothes, and crowned with the crowns of Hapes, King Jessy James and Queen Victoria are the models of royal dignity.
The respectful silence of the people since the arrival of the King and Queen in the chamber is now broken by the clear song of a single voice, calling all to attend to the Royal Ceremony. As the pure voice continues members of the all male choir behind him begin to join in lifting the intensity of the piece. The back doors of the room open with a crack, and Lord Alexander Tylger enters the hall. As the music continues, Lord Tylger walks steadily and slowly toward the throne. As he arrives at the foot of the throne he kneels, first to the Queen and then to the King. The choir concludes its part having built to a crescendo, leaving the chamber ringing with the sounds of their last notes. Rising to his feet, the King begins to address the assembled.
“Good evening fellow Hapans! Once again I am happy to speak to you from the very place so many decisions have been made that shape the history of this nation. Over the last years our Government has grown. Most notably our military has grown. With the rise of Governments desperate for land, and pirates waiting to raid our territory, we have been compelled to create a permanent armaments industry of vast proportions. Over three billion men and women are directly engaged in the defense establishment. We annually spend on military security more than three times the net income of all nationalized corporations.
With the increasing protection of the Royal Hapan Armed Forces, room is made for further development and expansion of the cluster. The work load I use to call my own has tripled in size. With the retirement of Lord Regent Zell Jaak and my increasing work load it has become evident to me that his position should be filled as soon as possible. To run this nation efficiently it needs not only a full time King, but also a full time Lord Regent. Someone who can make split decisions in my absence and someone that can take part in the masses of projects our Government has today.
In a few moments, I will swear none other than Lord Alexander Tylger into the position of Lord Regent. With this position comes great responsibility but also great privileges. He will assist me in my daily schedule ensuring only the best of choices are made for this nation. In a time of my absence, he will be empowered to make decisions that need to be made.
With this I guarantee Hapes shall never be left in the dark at any given time.”
A regal theme played on trumpets begins to play as the King steps forward. An attendant brings a crown on an ornate pillow to His Majesty. The crown, while small, is made from the purest silver with three prongs rising from its crest. King James removes the crown from the pillow and places it on Lord Tylger’s head.
Placing his hand on Lord Tylger’s head the King announces, “I give you Alexander Tylger, Lord Regent of the Hapes Consortium!”
As the King removes his hand, Lord Regent Tylger rises to his feet and turns to face the audience. The cheers from the crowds outside can be heard even in the chamber as all in attendance applaud the coronation. The King and Lord Regent Tylger stand shoulder to shoulder taking it in. As those in the chamber begin to take their seats again the King returns to his throne and representatives from around the cluster begin to move forward. Each Hapan race and culture brings forward a present or token of their loyalty. World by world the leaders of the people of the cluster bring forward their gifts, bow and extend their congratulations and a short statement of loyalty.
Once all of the gifts have been given, and every people of Hapes has had their turn, Lord Regent Tylger focuses his attention on the assembled audience. Standing tall he begins to address the people of Hapes.
“Ladies and gentlemen. Your Honours. Your Excellencies. Your Majesties! I stand before you humbled and honoured by the great responsibility that has been bestowed upon me, my heart filled with pride by His Majesty’s trust in me!
Andrew Starfyre, before his ascension to the Throne, once stood where I am standing now and spoke the following words to the peoples of the Hapes Cluster: ‘There comes a time, in the midst of swift happenings, where we must pause to consider what our place in time and history has been, to rediscover what we are, and what we may be.’ And those words were followed by decades of peace, internal expansion, prosperity and the rebirth of our national pride. Nearly forty years later, in the midst of swift happenings, we must once again pause!
With this regency the Hapes Consortium shall rediscover what it is and what it may be. Not for the sake of just this generation, or that of our children, but as a foundation for all generations to come! We shall prosper and our light will shine brighter than every before in an increasingly aphotic galaxy. We shall reject all foreign values and return to our own ways, our own culture, our own ideals, as we have done time and again. One Consortium. One People! Arise, o’ glorious Hapes!”
Once again thunderous applause rises from outside the Palace and in the throne room itself. With a bow, Lord Regent Tylger gracefully moves to his seat of honor near the King’s side. The Lords of Hapes, moving together, rise to their feet and move to stand side by side in front of the thrones and Lord Regent Tylger. Lord Firecam moves from his position near the King to join them. Again as one they kneel before the King and Queen, then rise to stand. Each Lord takes their turn in recognizing and congratulating the new Lord Regent; each with gifts of personal meaning or great value and beauty. As their part of the ceremony concludes and they return to their seats, applause again rises from the assembled. A traditional Hapan anthem begins to be played and sung by the choir and musicians. The scene shifts again to Anacia Chalcedon sitting outside the Fountain Palace. Streamers and confetti are falling on the crowds that have gathered.
”The coronation of a new Lord Regent has concluded, but the celebrations have only just begun. Later today there will be a parade to honor Lord Regent Tylger, and the people will be enjoying themselves in local celebration long into the night in every corner of the cluster. This concludes our broadcast of the coronation, but tune in later tonight as our panel discusses how this move will effect Hapes in both domestic and foreign relation terms. Then tomorrow we will be rebroadcasting this coronation along with full coverage of the celebrations and parades. From the Fountain Palace, home of the Royal family… goodday.”
The HNN logo appears again on your screen as the scene cuts to a view of fireworks in the sky above the capital city before fading into the background.
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