Ma-tek
19-07-2004, 19:12
They sat in silence at the Table of Tables upon the mightiest of mountains in the Empire, Mount Tumnore. They sat at the very peak, indeed, upon the plateau that was - at all other times - off-limits to all but those who lived their every day of their lives.
All who sat here had some link with the past, with this place, or with the people who had left here many thousands of years ago - and forged an empire out of nothing.
Today, that Empire was entering a new era - if the vote came back positive. A little under twenty-four hours ago, the population had gone to the polls. It was illegal not to vote - every Human and Nenyan over the age of 16 had taken part, and every Elf over the age of 25. Rialla, a Nenyan, had a sense of the Nenyan vote, and was certain that it was positive; that accounted for a potential sixty-million votes alone, however. There was no way of her knowing how the other two species would vote.
So she sat, leading the proceedings as they awaited the final count result. Initial counts were in, but these figures were never announced: only the final result mattered.
The constitution was before her-
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED ILUVAUROMENI COMMONALITY OF EVERLASTING LIGHT
PRE-AMBLE
We the Iluvauromeni People have gathered here on Mount Tumnore in the Second Year of the Era of the Dawn to write a constitution to entomb and revise our fledgling and humble Empire into a new and vibrant Commonality. We intend this document to be flexible and fair, with capacity for revision throughout its future history, as experience builds and knowledge expands. We create not a stone tablet, but the beginning of a tapestry, and we expect our descendants to weave an ever more beautiful structure as the years pass by. We assert here that we hope to establish and forever uphold the following principles: the rule of law; the equality of all before the law; individual freedom of movement, association, and expression; freedom from politcal or economic tyranny but the obligation to discipline and self-control; control of one's work life and the value thereof; and respect for our land's heritage, sovereignty, and its right to freedom from unwarranted and unnecessary Sentient exploitation.
ARTICLE 1. Legislative department
Section 1. The legislative bodies
1.1.1 The legislative body for national issues will be three two house bodies, one one house body, and two supranational combined legislative bodies; consisting of Imperial House of Ma-Nenya, Imperial House of Ma-tek, the Commonality Space Administration, Citizens House Ma-Nenya, Citizens House Ma-tek, and Citizens House Ax-turath. There will be two single units, composed of the two-tier structure: the Supranational Imperial House will consist of Imperial House of Ma-Nenya, and Imperial House of Ma-tek. The Supranational Citizens House will be composed of Citizens House Ma-Nenya, Citizens House Ma-tek, Citizens House Ax-turath, and the Imperial Space Administration.
1.1.2 All of the Imperial Houses will be composed of nine hundred members, with 35% selected every year by a lottery drawn from a list of all CEL residents over twenty-five years old. The remaining 65% of each body will be elected by the general population over the age of 22. The elections will be strictly non-partisan.
The Citizens Houses will be composed of nine hundred members, with 65% selected every year by a lottery drawn from a list of all EOTID residents over fifty-two years old. The remaining 35% of each body will be elected by the general population over the age of 16. The elections will be strictly non-partisan.
All national legislative bodies will meet 260 days of the year, in five 53 day-long sessions, with 105 days of inactivy excepting cases of exceptional circumstances. When a leap year occurs, the legislative bodies will meet 261 days out of the year. The supranational legislative bodies will be composed of the sum total of the national bodies conjoined to produce those supranational legislative bodies.
1.1.3 The Imperial Space Administration will convene 50 days of the year, always beginning the twenty-first day of April. The ISA will be entirely selected from the population of the space colonies being over the age of 19 Terran years.
1.1.4 The Supranational Imperial House will convene whenever circumstances merit such action. The circumstances will be determined as 'meriting such action' either by unanimous vote of the executive branch, or by two-thirds majority of at least two of the national Imperial Houses.
1.1.5 The Supranational Citizens House will convene whenever circumstances merit such action. The circumstances will be determined as 'meriting such action' either by unanimous vote of the executive branch, or by two-thirds majority of at least two of the national Imperial Houses.
Section 2. Powers granted to the Imperial Houses
1.2.1 The Imperial Houses, nationally, are responsible for ensuring that the EOTID legal system remains sound and entirely wholesome. When change is required, the Imperial Houses are given the power to enact that change, pending review by first the Supranational Imperial House, and then the appropriate Citizens House, followed by the Supranational Citizens House.
1.2.2 The Supranational Imperial House will elect half of the environmental court justices.
1.2.3 The Supranational Imperial House will elect one third of the economic court justices.
1.2.4 The Supranational Imperial House will examine all legislation passed by inferior national Houses, and determine whether that legislation is to be passed back to the inferior House for further debate, or if it is passed up the chain to the appropriate Citizens House.
Whenever a larger-than-two-thirds majority occurs in one of the inferior Houses, the Supranational Imperial House must convene within five days to debate the issue, and stay in session for as long as required to render a decision.
In the case of an emergency, legislation may be passed straight to Citizens House for consideration and debate, to speed the process and ensure the safety and security of the Empire and/or our allies.
1.2.5 The Imperial Houses will adhere to international law at all times, unless ethical considerations are involved.
Section 3. Powers granted to the Citizens House
1.3.1 The Citizens Houses are responsible for examining the legislation passed by the Imperial House.
1.3.2 The Citizens House is responsible for examining the legislation passed by an inferior national Citizens House, or the legislation passed by the Imperial House in the exceptional circumstances described in Article 1, Section 2, Clause 4, Paragraph 3.
1.3.2 The Citizens House will elect one quarter of the environmental court justices.
1.3.3 The Citizens House will elect one third of the economic court justices.
1.3.4 All laws passed by Citizens House will also be reviewed by the Economic and Environmental Courts before becoming active Imperial Law.
Section 4. Powers granted to the Imperial Space Administration
1.4.1 The Commonality Space Administration may pass legislation for the Orbital Colonies, but may only do so at the discretion of the executive branch of the government.
ARTICLE 2. Executive Branch
Section 1. The Executive Council
2.1.1 The executive council will be appointed by the head of state.
2.1.2 Each council member will represent one member state of the Empire, and all member states must be represented.
2.1.3 Each council member will become a lifelong member of the High Nobility, and will hold the title High Lord or High Lady.
2.1.4 At least two Executive Council members must be military representatives, former military officers with military and strategic warfare abilities and experience, or high-ranking officers.
2.1.5 At least one Executive Council member must be an active or previously active Ambassador for the Commonality.
Section 2. Powers of the Executive Council
2.2.1 The executive council shall command the Commonality Police Force, the Commonality Security Administration, and the Commonality Defence Forces.
2.2.2 The executive council, subject to review by the legislative branch of government, and, if necessary, the economic and environmental courts, shall have the power to make foreign policy decisions of all kinds, including but not restricted to: treaties including alliances of both military and economic classes, declaration of all three varieties of acceptable warfare or conflict (Defensive Warfare, Prevention of Unacceptable Loss of Sentient Life, or Limited Enforcement of Accepted Foreign Policy), and the upgrading or downgrading of the trading status of foreign states.
2.2.3 The Executive Council will select one quarter of the environmental court justices.
2.2.4 The Executive Council will select one third of the economic court justices.
2.2.5 The Executive Council will select all leaders of the armed forces. All selections must be by merit and merit alone.
2.2.6. The Executive Council will select all of the criminal court justices.
Section 3. The Crown
2.3.1 The Crown shall consist of the head of state for the Commonality, the Emperor or Empress, and their consort, the High King or High Queen of Ma-Nenya.
Section 4. The powers of the Crown
2.4.1 The head of state, named the 'Emperor' or 'Empress' although more similar in power to a President, shall be the Chairperson of the Imperial Executive Council as well as the Board of the Imperial Trade Conglomerate, to help ensure a commonality between foreign policy and the economy.
2.4.2 The head of state shall be the Supreme Commander of the Commonality Defence Forces.
2.4.3 The High King or High Queen of Ma-Nenya shall be the Commander-in-Chief of the Commonality Defence Forces, underneath the head of state in the chain-of-command.
2.4.4 The Empress has the right to issue an Imperial Decree of any kind, so long as it does not infringe upon the Constitution. An Imperial Decree may not be repealed.
ARTICLE 3. Judicial branch
Section 1. The environmental court
3.1.1 The environmental court shall consist of sixty-six members.
3.1.2 Individuals appointed to the court shall hold their office for twenty years.
Section 2. Powers granted to the environmental court
3.2.1 The environmental court shall have the power to review all laws passed by the economic court for their impact on the environment both inside the Commonality and out, and shall also examine all activities of the Imperial Trade Conglomerate on a month-to-month basis. The court shall provide detailed reports and explanations of all its activities and decisions to both the legislative and executive branches of government, as well as to the economic court (if required).
3.2.2 The environmental court shall rule on all cases brought before it in accordance with the ongoing task of the ICEL government to ensure that all citizens are entitled to long, healthy lives that are not negatively impacted by unsafe environmental economic practices and/or legislative actions regarding the environment and the treatment thereof.
3.2.3 The environmental court will also grant local economic powers to the local governments, so long as those powers do not overlap the powers of any other branch of government.
Section 3. The economic court
3.3.1 The economic court shall consist of twelve senior members and sixty-six junior members. Court members shall hold their office for fifteen years.
Section 4. Powers granted to the economic court
3.4.1 The economic court's senior members shall have the power to review all actions by the executive branch that can be considered to have any impact on the economy. Although the court may not prevent such actions, it is expected to examine those actions and determine a ruling to be delivered to the ITC to prevent negative effects. If those expected negative effects enter an envelope considered to be 'severe' (to be established by review every five years by the senior justices of the economic court, and reviewed by the ITC Council), then the action by the executive branch may be halted by unanimous decision of the economic court.
3.4.2 The economic court will examine all cases brought before it regarding the decisions of the Imperial Trade Conglomerate.
3.4.3 The economic court will regulate the Imperial Trade Conglomerate, and ensure that it does not breach Imperial Law and/or economic court judgements relating to the economy.
3.4.4 The economic court will also grant local economic powers to the local governments, so long as those powers do not overlap the powers of any other branch of government.
Section 5. The Social Commonality Court
3.5.1 The SCC shall have a two-tiered structure, with a flexible number of both junior and senior judges, to ensure that the required experience for difficult cases is available.
Section 6. Powers granted to the social Commonality court
3.6.1 The SCC shall be responsible for the upholding of the Social Crimes Act 2 D.E., pursuant with the Division of Criminality Act B.D. 1271, and the correction/treatment of those found to be in breach of said Laws.
3.6.2 The SCC shall under no circumstances be granted the power to alter the law, legal system, or any other matter which comes under the direct jurisdiction of any other branch. Nor may the SCC involve itself in political actions of any variety.
3.6.2.1 The judges of the SCC shall be impartial. If a judge is found to be compromised, they will have their Nobility immediately revoked unless due cause is provided under the Mental Health Rights Bill 1 D.E..
3.6.3 The SCC shall have the power to put forward proposals for the alteration of the law or legal system to the legislative branch.
ARTICLE 4. Local government
4.4.1 Local government will be 50% selected by lottery, and 50% elected by each constituency. Each constituency will hold the powers granted it by the economic and environmental courts.
4.4.2 The regions of Tek, Turath, Shelbattanu-Rhea and Telnor will be granted the powers of +/-2%AverageTax at each yearly review by the Imperial Executive Council with regards to spending inside their constituencies.
4.4.3 Vilya Elenosto and the Colonies will have no local government. This clause is subject to review in 05 D.E. by a specially created Commission, to be appointed by the Executive Council and the Commonality Space Administration.
ARTICLE 5. Individual rights and obligations
Section 1. Individual rights
5.1.1 Freedom of movement and assembly.
5.1.2 Religous freedom.
5.1.3 Freedom of speech.
5.1.4 Right to vote in all elections not to be abridged.
5.1.5 Right to legal counsel, timely trial, and habeas corpus.
5.1.6 Freedom from unreasonable search or seizure, double jepardy, or self-incrimination of any variety excepting explicitly voluntary and regulated psychic probing.
5.1.7 Freedom from cruel or unreasonable punishments.
5.1.8 Right to choice of employment.
5.1.9 Right to the majority of the economic benefits of one's own labour, as calculated by the now inactive Commission for Sustainable Working Benefits (the Commission is to be re-activated in 05 D.E.), but never less than 50 per cent in any case.
5.1.10 Right to a meaningful part in the management of one's work.
5.1.11 Right to a minimum living wage for life.
5.1.12 Right to excellent health care.
5.1.13 Right to a minimum food budget.
5.1.14 Right to a safe working environment.
5.1.15 Right to an optimally healthy environment in the Empire.
5.1.16 Right to be safe from lethal arms, and to be protected from criminal actions.
5.1.17 Right to (at least) adequate and safe housing.
5.1.18 Right to a politically and ideologically impartial education of a high and exacting standard in as many disciplines as possible.
5.1.19 Right to property for the use of political or ideological debate.
5.1.20 Right to freedom from partisan politics.
Section 2. Individual obligations
5.2.1 The citizens of the Empire shall, over the course of their lives, give up to ten years of work to Imperial Service and the Public Good, such work to be defined as;
non-commissioned military service of two years, to be completed between the ages of 18 and 25;
mandatory agricultural service of one year, to be completed between the age of 25 and 45;
political service of some variety, for up to seven years.
Section 3. Obligations of the Crown
5.3.1 The Crown, as defined in Article 2, Section 3, shall be expected to be fully trained in military matters, and shall also be expected to be proficient in swordplay, diplomatic discussion, and other matters relating to the proper chairing of the executive branch. The Crown shall raise their children with such matters in mind; if any heir is found to be wanting at their Ascension, they will automatically be declared null and void and a new heir must be appointed by the Crown.
ARTICLE 6. Amendments to this constitution
Whenever two-thirds of the members of both supranational legislative houses, or a majority of voters in a majority of settlements of the CEL, shall propose amendments to this constitution, the proposed amendment shall be put to a general Empire-wide vote within six months, and shall require a super-majority of two-thirds to pass. No individual rights may be removed, however.
ARTICLE 7. Ratification of the constitution
After approval of the text of this constitution, point by point, by a majority vote of the representatives of the constitutional congres, the constitution as a whole shall be presented to all the people of the Commonality of Everlasting Light over 15 years old, for a vote of approval or disapproval, and if it recieves a supermajority of two-thirds in approval, shall become the supreme law of the Commonality.
-and she knew each word intimately. It had taken months, and in those months, the Empire had fallen silent on the international stage. It had focused inwards - and inwards alone. All communications from the outside had been ignored beyond proclamations by the Diplomatic Corps that all officers were otherwise engaged for the forseeable future, although trade had continued as normal, and the military had zealously guarded the Imperial borders as they always did - even without their most high ranking officers.
The Empire had reached the point where it could operate in this manner; literally running itself with the sheer weight of the beauracratic machine that drove it...
And it had spirit. She hoped that even their worst enemies would admit that the Empire had shown guts. Not always - some would say not even often - in the right direction... but guts they had had in an abundance.
She almost sighed, but checked the habit. She had pushed for a change to her title - but the Congress had been surprisingly resistant.
"No," one bright-eyed young man had said - she didn't recall if he was Elf, Man, or Nenyan, and it hardly seemed to matter then or now - "for although we may cease to be Imperial, we must keep our traditions, and that includes the Crown."
She had shaken her head slowly, striving to find the words. "The foreigners - they won't see it this way. They will see it as Imperialism gripping the Commonality. They will see the word Commonality and see nothing but a sham, an empty promise echoed in a silent room with strong walls but no substance. This cannot be our image to the world. A strong-walled room with many strong voices echoing the same promise - that they will respect."
"Are we to be defined alone by how they see us," had argued a legislator, Lord Defur, "or by how we wish to be? If they cannot understand us - then they should try harder. We make efforts to understand them."
"Usually," an unidentifiable voice had muttered.
She had wondered at that voice - for she had not been able to place it. But Aglar had spoken up, then. He was a bright new star in politics - as in evidence by his large contribution to the Constitution. He had pushed through certain things, things that smacked of the Federation of Sentient Peoples; not for the first time, she regretted his ascension. Although she could not begrudge him...
After all, it was he who ought to sit on the throne, not her. Si Ling had been an imposter: Aglar had been the Imperial Heir. Although... that hardly mattered. What was done was done. Again, she ignored the urge to sigh; sometimes, the world was a heavy burden to bear. Especially when you had no need to bear it, and knew that you didn't bear it besides.
Yet Aglar had spoken, and the room had fallen peculiarly silent as he did. There had been small sounds when she had spoken - but not with he.
"We must make ourselves empty," he said for the thousandth time, Semir-randil nodding in agreement, "of all things, and refill ourselves with combinations of both the old and the new. Traditions are old, but they are valuable. They are the fabric of our society. We seek to add to the tapestry, not weave anew."
She had spoken against him, and had spoken well - she could see it in the eyes of some of the delegates...
But she had lost from the moment he had spoken. The victory had been noted by his supporters, she knew. If he were not her friend, she would be offended by the manner of the defeat - but here, in this place, at this Table-
The bell interrupted her. The Bell of Calling erupted into life, and the sky burst with greens and blues and reds...
The Last Great Barrier Device sparked to life, just for a moment, it's 'last' energies expended. It fizzled, died. She knew better, but kept silent. No being could control such power, she knew... Better to lose it now than to weep for the gain later.
But her heart leapt into her throat: she knew what that meant.
"Yes, yes, yes," a teenaged boy gasped, running to the table from the path. It was a long journey around the table - a thousand people were gathered there, and at hundreds (perhaps thousands, at the very height of the Congress) of other tables around the mountain (this was the Central Table of Tables) and, indeed, the Empire. About a hundred million people had directly contributed to the Constitution in some way or another - suggestions had flooded in from the public for the entire length of the work.
But everybody was standing, now, crying with joy, some of the men and women -
Someone hugged her, swept her up off of her feet, and she clung to whoever it was for joy but knew in her heart that it could be only-
"Semir," she breathed, "it is done."
He whirled her in his arms, eyes dancing with fire in the way that only Nenyan eyes truly can and can truly percieve, the noise of those gathered to celebrate - and celebrate they would, for days to come - dimming in contrast to the dizzying waves of joy that seemed to sweep through an entire nation...
She cried out with relief, the sound lost against the deep blue sky.
"Never done!" Semir was saying loudly, exuberantly, joyfully, "never, ever, ever done!"
Rialla did not know of what he was speaking, but she laughed at the expression at his face, laughed at the reaction of everyone around her...
* * *
And waves of feeling swept through what had once been the Empire of the Eternal Dawn, as they had been at the Coronation of the Empress Rialla ux-Rihad II, and, as they had been witnessed by those foreigners present then, foreigners in the new Commonality felt the sheer delight of the country around them...
For the Commonality was indeed rejoicing, but no foreigner not versed well in their culture could understand why... Yet.
* * *
"We did it," she said with a sly smile, gazing at the 'visor on the Bar wall.
Her commanding officer sipped his drink quietly, toying with medal sat on the palm of his other hand; the medal had a single word etched on it: Survive. "We sure did."
The woman wears a similar medal. In fact, all of the officers in the bar do; all seventeen of them. Above the bar hangs a grandly - but somewhat pathetic-looking, in the style of all good impromptu get-togethers - coloured banner, reading
WE SURVIVED
and in smaller letters underneath, small enough that you have to stare, real close:
this celebration is dedicated to the men and women who lost their lives in the War of Survival*
and dedicated to all those who will breathe the air in the New Commonality in their honour
Martins - the man with the Three Stars and a Fish on his shoulder, signifying his position as a Captain in the Imperial Navy - a foreigner, not born here, but a mere immigrant, sighs.
Lifts his drink.
Gazes at the wall.
"To all of you," he whispers softly.
[* The War of Survival occurred in D.Y. 1 (early 2003), when Melkor Unchained invaded the Empire via neighbouring Chellis. Fifty million lives were lost when the Battle of the Bay - a naval battle to take and claim the most important oceanic real estate in the Empire, which would have given access to the capital city for the invaders - ended with the guided descent of the all-but destroyed Imperium-owned Battle Station Nargothrond. On board the EOTED flagship, the IDS Vanguard, which was mostly destroyed in the ensuing tidal effects, there were only eighteen survivors.]
All who sat here had some link with the past, with this place, or with the people who had left here many thousands of years ago - and forged an empire out of nothing.
Today, that Empire was entering a new era - if the vote came back positive. A little under twenty-four hours ago, the population had gone to the polls. It was illegal not to vote - every Human and Nenyan over the age of 16 had taken part, and every Elf over the age of 25. Rialla, a Nenyan, had a sense of the Nenyan vote, and was certain that it was positive; that accounted for a potential sixty-million votes alone, however. There was no way of her knowing how the other two species would vote.
So she sat, leading the proceedings as they awaited the final count result. Initial counts were in, but these figures were never announced: only the final result mattered.
The constitution was before her-
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED ILUVAUROMENI COMMONALITY OF EVERLASTING LIGHT
PRE-AMBLE
We the Iluvauromeni People have gathered here on Mount Tumnore in the Second Year of the Era of the Dawn to write a constitution to entomb and revise our fledgling and humble Empire into a new and vibrant Commonality. We intend this document to be flexible and fair, with capacity for revision throughout its future history, as experience builds and knowledge expands. We create not a stone tablet, but the beginning of a tapestry, and we expect our descendants to weave an ever more beautiful structure as the years pass by. We assert here that we hope to establish and forever uphold the following principles: the rule of law; the equality of all before the law; individual freedom of movement, association, and expression; freedom from politcal or economic tyranny but the obligation to discipline and self-control; control of one's work life and the value thereof; and respect for our land's heritage, sovereignty, and its right to freedom from unwarranted and unnecessary Sentient exploitation.
ARTICLE 1. Legislative department
Section 1. The legislative bodies
1.1.1 The legislative body for national issues will be three two house bodies, one one house body, and two supranational combined legislative bodies; consisting of Imperial House of Ma-Nenya, Imperial House of Ma-tek, the Commonality Space Administration, Citizens House Ma-Nenya, Citizens House Ma-tek, and Citizens House Ax-turath. There will be two single units, composed of the two-tier structure: the Supranational Imperial House will consist of Imperial House of Ma-Nenya, and Imperial House of Ma-tek. The Supranational Citizens House will be composed of Citizens House Ma-Nenya, Citizens House Ma-tek, Citizens House Ax-turath, and the Imperial Space Administration.
1.1.2 All of the Imperial Houses will be composed of nine hundred members, with 35% selected every year by a lottery drawn from a list of all CEL residents over twenty-five years old. The remaining 65% of each body will be elected by the general population over the age of 22. The elections will be strictly non-partisan.
The Citizens Houses will be composed of nine hundred members, with 65% selected every year by a lottery drawn from a list of all EOTID residents over fifty-two years old. The remaining 35% of each body will be elected by the general population over the age of 16. The elections will be strictly non-partisan.
All national legislative bodies will meet 260 days of the year, in five 53 day-long sessions, with 105 days of inactivy excepting cases of exceptional circumstances. When a leap year occurs, the legislative bodies will meet 261 days out of the year. The supranational legislative bodies will be composed of the sum total of the national bodies conjoined to produce those supranational legislative bodies.
1.1.3 The Imperial Space Administration will convene 50 days of the year, always beginning the twenty-first day of April. The ISA will be entirely selected from the population of the space colonies being over the age of 19 Terran years.
1.1.4 The Supranational Imperial House will convene whenever circumstances merit such action. The circumstances will be determined as 'meriting such action' either by unanimous vote of the executive branch, or by two-thirds majority of at least two of the national Imperial Houses.
1.1.5 The Supranational Citizens House will convene whenever circumstances merit such action. The circumstances will be determined as 'meriting such action' either by unanimous vote of the executive branch, or by two-thirds majority of at least two of the national Imperial Houses.
Section 2. Powers granted to the Imperial Houses
1.2.1 The Imperial Houses, nationally, are responsible for ensuring that the EOTID legal system remains sound and entirely wholesome. When change is required, the Imperial Houses are given the power to enact that change, pending review by first the Supranational Imperial House, and then the appropriate Citizens House, followed by the Supranational Citizens House.
1.2.2 The Supranational Imperial House will elect half of the environmental court justices.
1.2.3 The Supranational Imperial House will elect one third of the economic court justices.
1.2.4 The Supranational Imperial House will examine all legislation passed by inferior national Houses, and determine whether that legislation is to be passed back to the inferior House for further debate, or if it is passed up the chain to the appropriate Citizens House.
Whenever a larger-than-two-thirds majority occurs in one of the inferior Houses, the Supranational Imperial House must convene within five days to debate the issue, and stay in session for as long as required to render a decision.
In the case of an emergency, legislation may be passed straight to Citizens House for consideration and debate, to speed the process and ensure the safety and security of the Empire and/or our allies.
1.2.5 The Imperial Houses will adhere to international law at all times, unless ethical considerations are involved.
Section 3. Powers granted to the Citizens House
1.3.1 The Citizens Houses are responsible for examining the legislation passed by the Imperial House.
1.3.2 The Citizens House is responsible for examining the legislation passed by an inferior national Citizens House, or the legislation passed by the Imperial House in the exceptional circumstances described in Article 1, Section 2, Clause 4, Paragraph 3.
1.3.2 The Citizens House will elect one quarter of the environmental court justices.
1.3.3 The Citizens House will elect one third of the economic court justices.
1.3.4 All laws passed by Citizens House will also be reviewed by the Economic and Environmental Courts before becoming active Imperial Law.
Section 4. Powers granted to the Imperial Space Administration
1.4.1 The Commonality Space Administration may pass legislation for the Orbital Colonies, but may only do so at the discretion of the executive branch of the government.
ARTICLE 2. Executive Branch
Section 1. The Executive Council
2.1.1 The executive council will be appointed by the head of state.
2.1.2 Each council member will represent one member state of the Empire, and all member states must be represented.
2.1.3 Each council member will become a lifelong member of the High Nobility, and will hold the title High Lord or High Lady.
2.1.4 At least two Executive Council members must be military representatives, former military officers with military and strategic warfare abilities and experience, or high-ranking officers.
2.1.5 At least one Executive Council member must be an active or previously active Ambassador for the Commonality.
Section 2. Powers of the Executive Council
2.2.1 The executive council shall command the Commonality Police Force, the Commonality Security Administration, and the Commonality Defence Forces.
2.2.2 The executive council, subject to review by the legislative branch of government, and, if necessary, the economic and environmental courts, shall have the power to make foreign policy decisions of all kinds, including but not restricted to: treaties including alliances of both military and economic classes, declaration of all three varieties of acceptable warfare or conflict (Defensive Warfare, Prevention of Unacceptable Loss of Sentient Life, or Limited Enforcement of Accepted Foreign Policy), and the upgrading or downgrading of the trading status of foreign states.
2.2.3 The Executive Council will select one quarter of the environmental court justices.
2.2.4 The Executive Council will select one third of the economic court justices.
2.2.5 The Executive Council will select all leaders of the armed forces. All selections must be by merit and merit alone.
2.2.6. The Executive Council will select all of the criminal court justices.
Section 3. The Crown
2.3.1 The Crown shall consist of the head of state for the Commonality, the Emperor or Empress, and their consort, the High King or High Queen of Ma-Nenya.
Section 4. The powers of the Crown
2.4.1 The head of state, named the 'Emperor' or 'Empress' although more similar in power to a President, shall be the Chairperson of the Imperial Executive Council as well as the Board of the Imperial Trade Conglomerate, to help ensure a commonality between foreign policy and the economy.
2.4.2 The head of state shall be the Supreme Commander of the Commonality Defence Forces.
2.4.3 The High King or High Queen of Ma-Nenya shall be the Commander-in-Chief of the Commonality Defence Forces, underneath the head of state in the chain-of-command.
2.4.4 The Empress has the right to issue an Imperial Decree of any kind, so long as it does not infringe upon the Constitution. An Imperial Decree may not be repealed.
ARTICLE 3. Judicial branch
Section 1. The environmental court
3.1.1 The environmental court shall consist of sixty-six members.
3.1.2 Individuals appointed to the court shall hold their office for twenty years.
Section 2. Powers granted to the environmental court
3.2.1 The environmental court shall have the power to review all laws passed by the economic court for their impact on the environment both inside the Commonality and out, and shall also examine all activities of the Imperial Trade Conglomerate on a month-to-month basis. The court shall provide detailed reports and explanations of all its activities and decisions to both the legislative and executive branches of government, as well as to the economic court (if required).
3.2.2 The environmental court shall rule on all cases brought before it in accordance with the ongoing task of the ICEL government to ensure that all citizens are entitled to long, healthy lives that are not negatively impacted by unsafe environmental economic practices and/or legislative actions regarding the environment and the treatment thereof.
3.2.3 The environmental court will also grant local economic powers to the local governments, so long as those powers do not overlap the powers of any other branch of government.
Section 3. The economic court
3.3.1 The economic court shall consist of twelve senior members and sixty-six junior members. Court members shall hold their office for fifteen years.
Section 4. Powers granted to the economic court
3.4.1 The economic court's senior members shall have the power to review all actions by the executive branch that can be considered to have any impact on the economy. Although the court may not prevent such actions, it is expected to examine those actions and determine a ruling to be delivered to the ITC to prevent negative effects. If those expected negative effects enter an envelope considered to be 'severe' (to be established by review every five years by the senior justices of the economic court, and reviewed by the ITC Council), then the action by the executive branch may be halted by unanimous decision of the economic court.
3.4.2 The economic court will examine all cases brought before it regarding the decisions of the Imperial Trade Conglomerate.
3.4.3 The economic court will regulate the Imperial Trade Conglomerate, and ensure that it does not breach Imperial Law and/or economic court judgements relating to the economy.
3.4.4 The economic court will also grant local economic powers to the local governments, so long as those powers do not overlap the powers of any other branch of government.
Section 5. The Social Commonality Court
3.5.1 The SCC shall have a two-tiered structure, with a flexible number of both junior and senior judges, to ensure that the required experience for difficult cases is available.
Section 6. Powers granted to the social Commonality court
3.6.1 The SCC shall be responsible for the upholding of the Social Crimes Act 2 D.E., pursuant with the Division of Criminality Act B.D. 1271, and the correction/treatment of those found to be in breach of said Laws.
3.6.2 The SCC shall under no circumstances be granted the power to alter the law, legal system, or any other matter which comes under the direct jurisdiction of any other branch. Nor may the SCC involve itself in political actions of any variety.
3.6.2.1 The judges of the SCC shall be impartial. If a judge is found to be compromised, they will have their Nobility immediately revoked unless due cause is provided under the Mental Health Rights Bill 1 D.E..
3.6.3 The SCC shall have the power to put forward proposals for the alteration of the law or legal system to the legislative branch.
ARTICLE 4. Local government
4.4.1 Local government will be 50% selected by lottery, and 50% elected by each constituency. Each constituency will hold the powers granted it by the economic and environmental courts.
4.4.2 The regions of Tek, Turath, Shelbattanu-Rhea and Telnor will be granted the powers of +/-2%AverageTax at each yearly review by the Imperial Executive Council with regards to spending inside their constituencies.
4.4.3 Vilya Elenosto and the Colonies will have no local government. This clause is subject to review in 05 D.E. by a specially created Commission, to be appointed by the Executive Council and the Commonality Space Administration.
ARTICLE 5. Individual rights and obligations
Section 1. Individual rights
5.1.1 Freedom of movement and assembly.
5.1.2 Religous freedom.
5.1.3 Freedom of speech.
5.1.4 Right to vote in all elections not to be abridged.
5.1.5 Right to legal counsel, timely trial, and habeas corpus.
5.1.6 Freedom from unreasonable search or seizure, double jepardy, or self-incrimination of any variety excepting explicitly voluntary and regulated psychic probing.
5.1.7 Freedom from cruel or unreasonable punishments.
5.1.8 Right to choice of employment.
5.1.9 Right to the majority of the economic benefits of one's own labour, as calculated by the now inactive Commission for Sustainable Working Benefits (the Commission is to be re-activated in 05 D.E.), but never less than 50 per cent in any case.
5.1.10 Right to a meaningful part in the management of one's work.
5.1.11 Right to a minimum living wage for life.
5.1.12 Right to excellent health care.
5.1.13 Right to a minimum food budget.
5.1.14 Right to a safe working environment.
5.1.15 Right to an optimally healthy environment in the Empire.
5.1.16 Right to be safe from lethal arms, and to be protected from criminal actions.
5.1.17 Right to (at least) adequate and safe housing.
5.1.18 Right to a politically and ideologically impartial education of a high and exacting standard in as many disciplines as possible.
5.1.19 Right to property for the use of political or ideological debate.
5.1.20 Right to freedom from partisan politics.
Section 2. Individual obligations
5.2.1 The citizens of the Empire shall, over the course of their lives, give up to ten years of work to Imperial Service and the Public Good, such work to be defined as;
non-commissioned military service of two years, to be completed between the ages of 18 and 25;
mandatory agricultural service of one year, to be completed between the age of 25 and 45;
political service of some variety, for up to seven years.
Section 3. Obligations of the Crown
5.3.1 The Crown, as defined in Article 2, Section 3, shall be expected to be fully trained in military matters, and shall also be expected to be proficient in swordplay, diplomatic discussion, and other matters relating to the proper chairing of the executive branch. The Crown shall raise their children with such matters in mind; if any heir is found to be wanting at their Ascension, they will automatically be declared null and void and a new heir must be appointed by the Crown.
ARTICLE 6. Amendments to this constitution
Whenever two-thirds of the members of both supranational legislative houses, or a majority of voters in a majority of settlements of the CEL, shall propose amendments to this constitution, the proposed amendment shall be put to a general Empire-wide vote within six months, and shall require a super-majority of two-thirds to pass. No individual rights may be removed, however.
ARTICLE 7. Ratification of the constitution
After approval of the text of this constitution, point by point, by a majority vote of the representatives of the constitutional congres, the constitution as a whole shall be presented to all the people of the Commonality of Everlasting Light over 15 years old, for a vote of approval or disapproval, and if it recieves a supermajority of two-thirds in approval, shall become the supreme law of the Commonality.
-and she knew each word intimately. It had taken months, and in those months, the Empire had fallen silent on the international stage. It had focused inwards - and inwards alone. All communications from the outside had been ignored beyond proclamations by the Diplomatic Corps that all officers were otherwise engaged for the forseeable future, although trade had continued as normal, and the military had zealously guarded the Imperial borders as they always did - even without their most high ranking officers.
The Empire had reached the point where it could operate in this manner; literally running itself with the sheer weight of the beauracratic machine that drove it...
And it had spirit. She hoped that even their worst enemies would admit that the Empire had shown guts. Not always - some would say not even often - in the right direction... but guts they had had in an abundance.
She almost sighed, but checked the habit. She had pushed for a change to her title - but the Congress had been surprisingly resistant.
"No," one bright-eyed young man had said - she didn't recall if he was Elf, Man, or Nenyan, and it hardly seemed to matter then or now - "for although we may cease to be Imperial, we must keep our traditions, and that includes the Crown."
She had shaken her head slowly, striving to find the words. "The foreigners - they won't see it this way. They will see it as Imperialism gripping the Commonality. They will see the word Commonality and see nothing but a sham, an empty promise echoed in a silent room with strong walls but no substance. This cannot be our image to the world. A strong-walled room with many strong voices echoing the same promise - that they will respect."
"Are we to be defined alone by how they see us," had argued a legislator, Lord Defur, "or by how we wish to be? If they cannot understand us - then they should try harder. We make efforts to understand them."
"Usually," an unidentifiable voice had muttered.
She had wondered at that voice - for she had not been able to place it. But Aglar had spoken up, then. He was a bright new star in politics - as in evidence by his large contribution to the Constitution. He had pushed through certain things, things that smacked of the Federation of Sentient Peoples; not for the first time, she regretted his ascension. Although she could not begrudge him...
After all, it was he who ought to sit on the throne, not her. Si Ling had been an imposter: Aglar had been the Imperial Heir. Although... that hardly mattered. What was done was done. Again, she ignored the urge to sigh; sometimes, the world was a heavy burden to bear. Especially when you had no need to bear it, and knew that you didn't bear it besides.
Yet Aglar had spoken, and the room had fallen peculiarly silent as he did. There had been small sounds when she had spoken - but not with he.
"We must make ourselves empty," he said for the thousandth time, Semir-randil nodding in agreement, "of all things, and refill ourselves with combinations of both the old and the new. Traditions are old, but they are valuable. They are the fabric of our society. We seek to add to the tapestry, not weave anew."
She had spoken against him, and had spoken well - she could see it in the eyes of some of the delegates...
But she had lost from the moment he had spoken. The victory had been noted by his supporters, she knew. If he were not her friend, she would be offended by the manner of the defeat - but here, in this place, at this Table-
The bell interrupted her. The Bell of Calling erupted into life, and the sky burst with greens and blues and reds...
The Last Great Barrier Device sparked to life, just for a moment, it's 'last' energies expended. It fizzled, died. She knew better, but kept silent. No being could control such power, she knew... Better to lose it now than to weep for the gain later.
But her heart leapt into her throat: she knew what that meant.
"Yes, yes, yes," a teenaged boy gasped, running to the table from the path. It was a long journey around the table - a thousand people were gathered there, and at hundreds (perhaps thousands, at the very height of the Congress) of other tables around the mountain (this was the Central Table of Tables) and, indeed, the Empire. About a hundred million people had directly contributed to the Constitution in some way or another - suggestions had flooded in from the public for the entire length of the work.
But everybody was standing, now, crying with joy, some of the men and women -
Someone hugged her, swept her up off of her feet, and she clung to whoever it was for joy but knew in her heart that it could be only-
"Semir," she breathed, "it is done."
He whirled her in his arms, eyes dancing with fire in the way that only Nenyan eyes truly can and can truly percieve, the noise of those gathered to celebrate - and celebrate they would, for days to come - dimming in contrast to the dizzying waves of joy that seemed to sweep through an entire nation...
She cried out with relief, the sound lost against the deep blue sky.
"Never done!" Semir was saying loudly, exuberantly, joyfully, "never, ever, ever done!"
Rialla did not know of what he was speaking, but she laughed at the expression at his face, laughed at the reaction of everyone around her...
* * *
And waves of feeling swept through what had once been the Empire of the Eternal Dawn, as they had been at the Coronation of the Empress Rialla ux-Rihad II, and, as they had been witnessed by those foreigners present then, foreigners in the new Commonality felt the sheer delight of the country around them...
For the Commonality was indeed rejoicing, but no foreigner not versed well in their culture could understand why... Yet.
* * *
"We did it," she said with a sly smile, gazing at the 'visor on the Bar wall.
Her commanding officer sipped his drink quietly, toying with medal sat on the palm of his other hand; the medal had a single word etched on it: Survive. "We sure did."
The woman wears a similar medal. In fact, all of the officers in the bar do; all seventeen of them. Above the bar hangs a grandly - but somewhat pathetic-looking, in the style of all good impromptu get-togethers - coloured banner, reading
WE SURVIVED
and in smaller letters underneath, small enough that you have to stare, real close:
this celebration is dedicated to the men and women who lost their lives in the War of Survival*
and dedicated to all those who will breathe the air in the New Commonality in their honour
Martins - the man with the Three Stars and a Fish on his shoulder, signifying his position as a Captain in the Imperial Navy - a foreigner, not born here, but a mere immigrant, sighs.
Lifts his drink.
Gazes at the wall.
"To all of you," he whispers softly.
[* The War of Survival occurred in D.Y. 1 (early 2003), when Melkor Unchained invaded the Empire via neighbouring Chellis. Fifty million lives were lost when the Battle of the Bay - a naval battle to take and claim the most important oceanic real estate in the Empire, which would have given access to the capital city for the invaders - ended with the guided descent of the all-but destroyed Imperium-owned Battle Station Nargothrond. On board the EOTED flagship, the IDS Vanguard, which was mostly destroyed in the ensuing tidal effects, there were only eighteen survivors.]