Hapan News Network

HNN - New King addresses the nation

Category: HNN Broadcasted on 11.Nov.2013 - 13:35hrs Author Zayth Kadrim Comments: 0

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The introductory sequence of the Hapan News Network flashes across the screen. As the sequence comes to an end, the familiar visage of Anacia Chalcedon appears on screen in front of the Castle of Per`Agthra. She flashes a soft smile to the viewers before beginning to speak.

“Good afternoon, Hapes. In wake of the previous royal address, we are ready to go to the Fountain Palace where the new monarch, Rai`ix Chume Zayth Kadrim, is about to address the nation. The King has purportedly spent the previous weeks in private talks with the representatives of the Lorell Hall over policy matters, and until now has refrained from public appearances.

As a result, there has been ample speculation amongst the political commentators on the changes that could be under way, although few believe that the Hapes Consortium is about to see any abrupt changes.”

There is a slight pause before Chalcedon continues with a broad smile.

“We are now receiving word that the speech is about to begin, and so we go live to the Fountain Palace.”

The image of Chalcedon smiling fades away, revealing the new King in court uniform standing behind a podium.



”Peoples of the Hapes Consortium, Your Honours, Your Excellencies. I stand before you humbled, struck still with great awe and grave sadness. Great awe, having been afforded a breathtaking honour beyond measure, and grave sadness, for the abdication of Ra'ix Chume Alexander the First leaves a cold void in my heart, and indeed a void in all our hearts.

He is a man I look up to, whose kind judgement I have been grateful to have been able to have entrusted my life with. I consider him my mentor and know him to be that to many, a wise man with a gentle heart, whose strength and caution continues to inspire me, as did his words on benevolence. His confidence in my ability to lead this glorious nation forward can only be met with sincere appreciation for his unwavering confidence in the Hapes Consortium, and the long years of service towards realizing its full potential. I ascend to the hapan throne in his footsteps to follow a virtuous example of noble service, striving to fulfil those responsibilities laid upon me with Honour, Pride, and Glory.

I have been fortuitous to have been able to witness from a position of trust the reign of two great monarchs, and so able to give an account on their accomplishments; We should praise Ra'ix Chume James for all that he saw built, and equally Ra'ix Chume Alexander for all he saw preserved. The challenges they faced were different, but monumental. For are we not a nation of humble beginnings that saw generations toil away to prove its greatness? Did we not achieve unimaginable results, and become soothed by our prosperity and satiated by our very success? I would say it is so. Pursuing our glory, the rest of the proud nations of the galaxy have caught up with us, some long ago, and yet, while they have risen and we have lingered in our hard won comfort, where are those we would now call our superior? Who is there to look up to? The other ascendant states have grown, but not so much as to overshadow us. Do we perhaps gaze upon the Galactic Empire or the New Republic in wonder instead, seeking to emulate them for their respectable might or ideals? No, we do not. We need not.

For as the hydra follows the dragon and the phoenix, that is the legacy the last dragon passes onto us: Our heritage preserved, our honour unblemished. Our people, united. The Cluster surrounded by our friends at the Galactic Concordiate. Stability, safety, peace. You already held my fealty, and commanded my respect. All I have left to give you then, Alexander Tylger, are my solemn thanks for all the years you have graced my life with as a superior, as a colleague, and as my King; Thank for your support and your guidance. Thank you for your momentous contributions towards the welfare of your people, and so too on behalf of the entire Hapes Consortium. May you live out your days in Zadaria in health, peace, and comfort, as well as with the lasting gratitude and adoration of the people of the Consortium. I salute you. We all salute you.”

There is a moment of solemn silence as the King gazes at the audience with his stoic expression unwavering.

“To all those who have already pledged their support for what lays ahead and expressed their belief in me, your gesture has been much appreciated. The abdication of a ruler so beloved is undoubtedly an unpleasant experience, and King Alexander's retirement is already exposing us to the stark realities of our lives, which he will no longer be shielding us from. With the galaxy ever in flux, I look forward to tackling whatever lays ahead - with all of you. Whatever unknowns the future holds, whatever the challenges ahead, however our resolve will be tested, we remain in possession to the keys to our fate. Our successes and failures will be our own doing. Only question that matters now is, what now, where to?

The work to see those questions answered has already begun, and as the coronation ceremony nears, we will be announcing some of the changes that have been discussed, and which are designed to take us forward. Over the coming months, the composition of the Royal Council will be altered one step at a time, to harness the energy and enthusiasm of the next generation for the betterment of the whole, while retaining the experience and wisdom of the present. Our industrial abilities will be brought to bear to improve our economy in the aftermath of a galactic scale depression of income taxation. The Royal Hapan Armed Forces will see itself realigned to meet the present day expectations with its streamlined staff. The Peerage Act will be utilized as was intended by my predecessor over the course of the next year, and the Citizenship statute shall receive its long heralded revision, while a Royalty Act touching upon the roles of my predecessors and future successors will be enacted. Finally, and most importantly, many aspects of our social programs and citizen betterment drives will be evaluated in an effort to improve social and labour mobility in our society, and to reinvigorate our present and coming generations in the quest to future greatness, to call upon all of you to stand up and face boldly the challenges that appear around us. For here we stand resolute, in defiance against time itself, gazing again into a new dawn.

Rise o' Glorious Hapes. Rise, and rise again!”

The speech ends in applause, and as the image begins to fade out, Chalcedon's voice is heard in the background.

"Lorell Hall officials are assuring us that further details on the changes mentioned will be forthcoming in the weeks and months ahead, with announcements pertaining to the initial shifts at the Royal Council being prepared to be released shortly. We will now be taking a short break, stay tuned for more news after we return!”

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