NationStates Jolt Archive

Imperial Senate Building, Citadel Excalbia

The round well of the Senate chamber sat dark and empty beneath the great dome. Not far from the chamber, in a large, well lit, wood paneled room, Albert Cummings, Minister of State, sat in an overstuffed leather chair slowly puffing on a fine cigar. Across from him, irritably waving his hand in front of nose, the Rev. James Earl Luckett glared at his cabinet colleague.

“Must you smoke that thing in here, Mr. Cummings!”

Cummings took a puff. “Reverend Luckett, surely you wouldn’t deprive me of such a simple pleasure at such a tense moment.”

“Minister Cummings, Minister Luckett,” Senator Talbot Lauskis, Christian Union party whip, interrupted before Luckett could answer, “could we move on with the agenda?”

“Please,” Heather Altman-Faris, Minister of Education, said smoothing her skirt, “let us move on, gentlemen.”

Everyone in the room nodded and Lauskis nodded with a hint of smile. “With elections nearly upon us, we need to prepare ourselves and agree on our electoral strategy.”

“What is the word from our coalition partners?” A CU back bencher asked.

Lauskis looked at Cummings and nodded.

“Well,” Cummings said, snuffing out the remnants of his cigar, “the Progressive Conservatives are nervous. They fear – as do I – that the Freedom Party will leave the government ahead of elections and seek to run on an opposition platform.”

“Do you think they will really do that, Cummings?” Sir Thomas Roulis, Minister of Labour and Welfare, looked anxiously at the Minister of State.

Cummings shrugged. “I have no inside information from their ranks, Sir Thomas, but it is well known that Sir Harrison and the others are quite exasperated with – as they put it – our drift towards a welfare state.”

Rev. Luckett snorted. He was the unofficial leader of the CU’s right wing, which tended to take a harder line on social issues and prefer a bit more of free market approach to economics. “I would agree that we are perhaps overdoing it a bit on social spending, but we are hardly a welfare state!”

Cummings gave Luckett a hard look. Generally assumed to be leader of the CU’s left wing, he tended to favor a great social safety net and had little patience for some of Luckett’s more extreme positions. “Frankly, Reverend, I think we could stand to a little bit more to help the less fortunate back on their feet, but your point is well taken. The FP’s position on the economy is far to the right of any of us.” Cummings sighed. “Sometimes I even fear that they would even welcome Knootian-style unrestrained capitalism.”

“Surely you aren’t suggesting, Minister, that the FP is consorting with the Order?” Altman-Faris said leaning forward in her seat.

“No, Ms. Altman-Faris,” Cummings said evenly, “I am not. However, it is not difficult to imagine Sir Harrison and some of his followers feeling a certain… affinity for Caine and the Order.”

Luckett leaned back in his overstuffed chair. “If the PC fears being outflanked on the economic right, I suspect they will turn that direction as well. With our current platform on social welfare, I believe the PC will, too, seek to run an independent campaign and try to keep a certain distance between us.”

“Are you suggesting we change our platform?” A nervous backbencher asked.

Luckett looked at a grimacing Albert Cummings and smiled. “No, not now. It would be fare too divisive. We will run on our current platform. And do our best.”

Cumming’s expression lightened and he gave a faint smile.

Sweyn Castle, Citadel Excalbia

Lord Jacob Bergmanis, Lord Sheriff of the Citadel looked around the table. The senior officers of the Imperial Household, with one exception, sat expressionless waiting for him to speak.

“Thank you all for joining me here today,” Bergmanis said.

“My Lord,” Lady Jenolyn Tremane, Bailiff of Kuldiga, said anxiously, “where is the Lord Chamberlain?”

“Lord Corman will not be joining us, my lords and ladies. It is vital that there be nothing that could officially or publicly connect the Chamberlain or His Imperial Majesty with what I am about to say. Nevertheless, you must trust me that my message has their blessing.”

Bergmanis looked grimly around the table. “The Imperial Household has become aware that the Freedom Party is considering a withdrawal from the governing coalition and a move towards the right in the next election. In fact, we have reason to believe that the Freedom Party may be falling into the orbit of the Order of the Invisible Hand.”

There were gasps around the table and a chorus of “no” and “outrageous.” Bergmanis simply continued looking calmly at the people around the table. He waited for a moment, then continued. “Certainly, we have no proof. And, indeed, I hope I am wrong. Even if I am correct, there is no guarantee that they will make enough gains in the Senate to form a government or even influence government policy. However, if there is even that they might form a government, we need to be prepared.”

“To do what?” MAJGEN Maris Jansons, Captain of the Imperial Guard, asked flatly.

“To do what is necessary to preserve the Empire.”

OOC: This thread will lead into elections in Excalbia. It is your opportunity to ICly influence the outcome of our elections.

The Prophet Jihuntae had just dismissed an incompetent Cleric and was rising up into his chambers. Suddenly, a slither of yes-men, around twelve of them, appeared in his room, as if out of nowhere. "Do you wish to influence the outcome of the Excalbian elections, my master?" one of them said. Jihuntae knitted his brow and said: "Hmm... why not? Send half a million USD to the most conservative candidate."
"Uhh... that would be..."
"Don't care, don't care, don't care. Just send him 500,000."
"Done."

Money wired. Happy campaigning.

Imperial Senate Building, Citadel Excalbia

Oliver Green sat nervously on the edge of his seat. The leader of the Reform Party looked around the small cloakroom at the gathered member of the party’s senatorial faction. Seventeen faces looked back at him. Eighteen members, him included, represented the party in the Senate. That made them the third largest faction, behind only the Progressive Conservatives and the Christian Union. Yet, the majority coalition, even without the Freedom Party’s sixteen seats, commanded a healthy majority of the Senate. Especially when arrayed against a fractured opposition.

Still, elections were coming and elections always brought hope for the opposition, just as surely it elicited fear from the government of the day.

Green chewed his lip and looked over to the party whip. “Marcella, what do you think of the possibility of the governing coalition collapsing?”

Marcella Gambino smiled. The stocky but well-dressed and confident woman was, in many ways, the opposite of the soft-spoken and bookish Green. Yet, it was Green, the respected former PC senator who led the party.

“It is almost certain that the Freedom Party will jump before the elections.” Gambino smiled and tilted her head slightly. “There are also rumours that the PC and CU are starting to eye each other nervously.”

“Do you think they’re seeking new partners?” Green leaned further forward, nearly tumbling out of his chair.

Gambino shrugged. “Maybe.” She smiled. “It might not be a bad idea to invite Albert Cummings to dinner. Just to test the waters.”

Green nodded. Others began speaking, discussing different electoral scenarios, but Green was not listening. In his mind, he was already busy trying to figure out how to match his party's agenda of constitutional reform with the social agenda of the Christian Union.

The accusations against Princess Christiana that were plastered across the front page of the Knootian newspaper De Telegraaf were nothing new. Similar allegations had been made and denied for years. However, the photographs… the photographs were undeniable. Explainable? Perhaps. But not deniable. And they burst on Citadel Excalbia like cluster bombs.

By the time the Imperial Chancellor had e-mailed her office from the Lavenrunzian warship were peace talks over Saxmere were being held, a briefing paper from the Ministry of State’s Foreign Press Office was already landing on the desk of her chief of staff. The paper was quickly relayed electronically to Lady Christina and, at her direction, forwarded to the so-called National Security Cabinet and the Imperial Household Agency.

The Justice Minister, Baron Alvis Celms read the report with a grim look. He knew the Emperor would be angry and would want to explore all possible responses. He immediately summoned the Solicitor General and asked him to have a brief ready within the hour to explain the Imperial family’s legal options under Knootian law – basically to determine whether or not they could sue the paper for liable under Knootoss’ own laws. Baron Alvis then called the director of Imperial Customs to see if there were any legal or administrative options for stopping copies of the paper or reproductions of the incriminating photos of the princess and her lady companion from entering the Holy Empire. Then, with a dreadful sigh, he began calling the leadership of the Progressive Conservative party.

Lord Yornis Halton, the Defence Minister, read the State Ministry’s memo on the article and looked at the pictures. He then poured himself a Scotch and sat down heavily beside the unlit fireplace on the far side of his office. The Emperor’s mood had become dark and unpredictable enough without this.

Lady Gwyneth Hapsgaard as director of Imperial Intelligence immediately ordered a full investigation into the source of the photographs and the presumed leak within the Government or the Imperial Household Agency itself. As a former Justice Minister who was fully aware of her successor’s heavy-handed tendencies, she began mentally preparing her arguments against banning distribution of the paper or the photos; doing so, she believed, would only pour fuel on the fire.

In the warren of offices filling the Imperial Senate’s neoclassical building, word of the Dutch Report – as it quickly came to be known – spread like wildfire. Senators in every party and every faction whispered and calculated how to make the best use of this new situation.

In Sweyn Castle, the Imperial Chamberlain, Lord Johannes Corman, called a hasty meeting of the senior officials of the Imperial Household Agency. “Is it true, Lord Chamberlain,” Lord Alfred Landis, the Imperial Steward, asked haltingly, “that they have pictures of Her Imperial Highness?”

Lord Johannes nodded his head slowly, almost reluctantly. “Yes, they do, Lord Alfred. And it will quite difficult to deny them.” The Imperial Chamberlain pulled out a small manila envelope and opened it. He tossed the contents on the table. Printouts of the pictures from the De Telegraaf website. The story they told of the princess and her assistant were quite clear and quite undeniable.

Lord Jacob Bergmanis, the Lord Sheriff pounded his fist on the table. “They cannot be allowed to trifle with Sword in this fashion, Lord Chamberlain. The Emperor must…”

“Must do what, Lord Sheriff,” Lord Johannes asked wearily, “declare war? Invade Knootoss? Embargo them? Again? Call off the talks over Saxmere? Just what must His Imperial Majesty do, Lord Jacob?”

Bergmanis grimaced and look down at his hands.

Elsewhere in the castle, Emperor David IV finished tearing copies of the pictures to bits and tossing them across the floor. He stood and paced for several minutes, pausing only to look the windows or glance at the portraits of his ancestors on the walls. He pounded his fists against an antique table until it cracked. Then, he sighed and sat down. He opened the door and said to the servant waiting there, “Have them get Her Imperial Highness, Princess Christiana on the phone at once. And have someone call the Presiding Bishop. I would like him to come at once.”

The servant bowed and scurried away.

The press usually knew to give the Despotic Court of New Constantinople a wide berth - it was very hard to get inside and get photographs of the revelries inside, or to get even the staff to talk about them. However, the absence of the Despot himself, and the fact that the story wasn't about a member of the Pantocratorian Imperial Family, but the Excalbian one, gave the press some hope that the staff wouldn't be so diligent in their efforts to suppress news leaks. Besides, the most incriminating photos had already been circulated.

Their efforts paid off. Some of the servants from the Princess' private chambers in the palace had been seduced by the cash rewards for scintillating gossip, and had agreed to interviews. The headlines the next morning in Pantocratoria's newspapers carried their stories alongside the photograph from De Telegraaf.

From the Peacock Daily...

Lesbian Lovenest in Despotic Court!

Princess Christiana, sister of Emperor David IV of Excalbia, is carrying on a sexual relationship with her female chief of staff, according to staff working in the Despotic Court of New Constantinople.

A maid in the apartments assigned to Princess Christiana for her stay in New Constantinople reported hearing the "unmistakable sound of lovemaking" between "two girls" in the Princess' bed chambers. She confirmed that the only people who had entered or left the bedroom were Princess Christiana and her personal assistant, "a lady by the name of Janet"...

New Constantinople, Pantocratoria

Princess Christiana rolled the dice and held her piece, contemplating her move. She had, of course, read the day’s papers, but she was determined not to disturb Tariq. The boy – her ward taken in from Mortville – had changed a great many things in the princess’ life. Mostly for the better.

Christiana moved her piece and smiled as Tariq reached for the dice. As the white cubes tumbled on to the table, Janet – the princess’ chief of staff – opened the door and approached Christiana with a surprising familiarity. “Princess,” Janet said, laying a hand on the princess’ shoulder, “the Citadel is on the phone. His Imperial Majesty wants you on the phone immediately.”

Christiana nodded. The call certainly was not unexpected. She stood and looked at Janet. “Janet, could you take my place for a moment?” Then, she turned to Tariq. “I’ll be right back.”

Janet took the princess’ seat and half-heartedly played with Tariq. She listened to the sounds of her friend’s conversation from the other room. She could not hear the words clearly, but she could clearly hear the urgent, pleading tone of Christiana’s voice.

Several minutes later, Christiana walked back into the room. Her eyes were red, but she was forcing a smile. “Well, Tariq, it looks like we’ll be going to Excalbia to meet the rest of my family sooner than I thought…”

“Princess,” Janet said, rising from her seat, “will the child welfare authorities let you take him…”

“That’s what I have an army of lawyers for, Janet. Put them to work on it immediately. And have them investigate our legal options for dealing with the press. Under the privacy laws or something. And contact the Despot’s court; tell them they have a snitch in the court. And, if they aren’t enthusiastic about dealing with the leak, remind them that am well-versed in the Despot’s own secrets.”

Janet nodded. “And should I…”

Christiana shook her head. “No, Janet, I need you to stay here. I also want my managers to explore purchasing the offending papers.” Christiana looked away, hiding a teary look. “And, under the circumstances, I think it best you stay away from the capital for a while.”

Citadel Excalbia

Rev. James Earl Luckett, the Home Affairs Ministers, wore a decidedly somber expression. “This is unacceptable,” he murmured to no one in particular. Senator Talbot Lauskis, overhearing the Minister, approached him and whispered, “Do you think this will affect us in the elections?”

“Hard to say,” Luckett whispered in reply. “It certainly makes us look like hypocrites by association. That will not go over well with our base.”

* * *

Elsewhere in the capital, Sir Harrison Grasis, the Treasury Minister, smiled as he flipped through the press coverage of the growing scandal. He called up his e-mail program and typed a message to the Freedom Party’s press spokesman outlining a public statement that, while attacking the voyeuristic press, called for a full disclosure from the government of its role, if any, in covering up the princess’ double life.

Inside the News with Greta Williams

A neatly dressed woman with short hair and red-rimmed glasses looked intently into the camera. “Senator, don’t you think it is a bit disloyal – and disingenuous – for a party that is a member of the current Government – known as for being Sword loyalists – to question so openly the conduct of the Sword?”

Senator Clinton Howe furrowed his brow rubbed the end of his sharp chin. “Some might see it that way, Greta, but we in the Freedom Party believe that our highest loyalty is to the people of Excalbia. And the people have a right to know whether the Imperial Household Agency has used coercion or other improper means to conceal the foibles of the Imperial family.”

Howe’s mouth turned down into a frown. “The story about Princess Christiana is only of prurient interest. The real problem is the suggestion that the Sword, through the IHA, has suppressed reports about the princess and, thereby, interfered with the free press.”

“If I could add something, Greta,” Senator Marcella Gambino leaned forward, the fringes of her stylish shawl brushing the table, “the Reform Party has long been troubled by the power of the Imperial Household Agency – a power that is, I might add – not subject to any oversight from the Senate. The Agency serves solely at the discretion of the Sword. And, unfortunately, Greta, if some of the reports are to be believed, this isn’t the only time the Agency has subverted our constitutional principles and acted in secret to carry out Imperial will in defiance of the Senate.”

“What do mean, exactly, Senator Gambino?” Greta Williams folded her hands and leaned forward with a serious expression.

“Well, Greta,” Gambino said, “there are reports that the Agency has, on behalf of the Sword, given orders to the military – to invade Upper Virginia and to blockade the Confederation – without the knowledge and approval of the Cabinet and without any authorizing vote in the Senate.”

Gambino leaned back and spread her hands. “Now, I don’t know if these reports are true – I know only that the Senate never voted on either of this deployments. But if they are true, it is a subversion of the constitutional order for the Sword, without the advice and consent of his Cabinet or the people’s Senate, to virtually declare war on other nationstates.”

“These are serious charges,” Greta said.

“Yes and that is why we must fully investigate these charges in the Senate and get to the truth of the matter.”

Christiana was able to take Tariq out of the country with the help of a letter from Prince Andreus in Lavenrunz to smooth the feathers of the bureaucracy. The Despot had his aides arrange for the boy to be granted Despotic Citizenship, despite not meeting any of the requirements, and a passport issued on his authority. His bureaucrats explained to Christiana that he didn't actually have Imperial Citizenship, since their master had no authority to confer Imperial Citizenship, and warned her that if the Imperial Department of Immigration found out, there might be a messy legal challenge - but for the time being at least, the arrangements made it possible for the child to leave. It might have seemed out of character for Andreus to Christiana, but the Despot had taken a surprising amount of initiative (especially given he was in another country with his new wife) in order to give the boy official status as Christiana's ward, and to grant him a freedom of movement not available to most in his situation.

However, while things with Tariq went exceptionally well, the media seemed intent on making the "Lesbian Lovenest" story an even bigger deal. The tabloids, all owned by three Pantocratorian media moguls whose vast commercial empires and secure controlling interests in their companies rendered them immune from Christiana's usual tactics, published increasingly scandalous stories. The only papers Christiana was able to buy out tended to be the more respectable sorts who had only really covered the story because it had been blown so far out of proportion by rags like De Telegraaf. The Despotic Court of New Constantinople became a very unpleasant, paranoid place to be over the next few days as the public relations staff hunted for the leaks. There were more than a few fairly arbitrary dismissals based on very little evidence of wrong-doing. Nevertheless, the media pressure for information continued to build, and Janet personally began to receive interview requests.

***

Princess Anna frowned as the Inside the News programme finished. The pregnant princess flicked the television off with the remote control in a surprisingly theatrical and disdainful motion of her arm. She looked at Prince Joseph next to her.

"As if the stories about your aunt weren't bad enough, this is just outrageous!" she said to him, her sweet voice laced with indignation. "How dare a senator smear the Sword like that, on national television, ranting on with his conspiracy theories! It's so improper! He shouldn't be allowed to speak that way, he's a senator, people will take him seriously, and with things the way they are in the Confederation, and with the elections so soon... that sort of talk is dangerous, destabilising!"

Joseph put an arm around his wife. He looked down, as if looking at the child she was carrying then looked into her eyes. His eyes, normally calm and reassuring, seemed to be opened just a little wider than usual, betraying a hint of apprehension. “These are difficult times, Anna. The occupation – no matter we call it officially – in Upper Virginia seems to drag on and on. And, despite the peace talks in Saxmere, there is still a real fear of a war with Knootoss over the Confederation and Saxmere.” Joseph looked away and sighed. “People are worried. Anxious. And the elections seem to be just making things worse.”

The prince turned back to his wife and tried to force a smile. “Most of what Gambino and Howe are saying is just politics. My guess is that the Freedom Party and Reform Party are starting to court each other as potential coalition partners. And are trying to raise public anxiety about the current Government – and by extension, my father – to increase their own share of the vote.” Joseph shook his head. “It’s certainly not good statesmanship, but it is typical politics.” He shrugged again. “I don’t think the average person is going to take what they say too seriously. I hope.”

The story of the lesbian princess was actually not very popular back in Knootoss. Sure, the pictures made good press on the first day, but in general the response was limited and the story was soon banished to the glossy gossip magazines and the more low-brow holochannels.

“Imperial Row Continues amidst electoral anxiety”, was the cautious heading of the Trouw foreign developments page.

“Lesbian Smut Takes Imperial Senate By Storm” was the more exiting header of the Telegraaf, which took the liberty of reprinting their old pictures.

“Excalbia headed for stormy elections”, was the title of the analysis article of NRC Handelsblad

“Femke Halsema: Respect Princess’ Privacy”, the Volkskrant reported.

Lady Christina Freedman sat stiffly at the head of the long finely carved wooded table that sat in the middle of the cabinet room. Her usually attractive features were twisted into a look of anger mixed, perhaps, with a trace of fear. Around the table sat not the cabinet, but a curious mixture of the National Security cabinet, the Progressive Conservative leadership and the Imperial Household Agency. Normally, the Government tried to keep its affairs and those of the Agency seperate. This time, however, that was impossible and that, perhaps, was in part the source of the Chancellor's anxiety.

"Lord Corman," she said nodding to the Chamberlain, "Lord Alfred," she nodded to the Imperial Steward, "thank you for joining us today. Have you made any progress in finding the source of the leaks?"

Lord Alfred Landis shook his head. "No, we have not. We need more assistance from Imperial Intelligence and the police..."

"You shall have it," the Chancellor said sharply.

"And, Lady Christina," Landis said sourly, "I still do not understand your unwillingness to block these slanders from our shores and take punative actions..."

"That would be unconstitutional, my dear Lord Alfred," Lady Gwyneth Hapsgaard, the director of Imperial Intelligence, said condesendingly.

"I did not know you were still the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, my Lady," Landis said sharply.

"No, but I am," Baron Alvis Celms said with equal bite. "And I fully agree with Lady Gwyneth."

"Enough," the Chancellor roared, "this isn't getting us anywhere. I want that leak found by the end of the week and plugged. And I want an outline of a damage control plan on my desk by close of business today. Understood?"

Everyone around the table nodded, some more reluctantly than others.

"Good."

Narwhal Memorial Square, City of Landing, Excalbia

“This is not about one frivolous princess’ indiscretion,” thundered Senator Marcella Gambino, “it is,” she said, waving a perfectly manicured finger, “about Imperial excess! About the manipulation of the Government to serve the private ends of one family!”

A small chorus of boos accompanied by shouts of “traitor” erupted in the crowd, but they were quickly drowned out by the Reform Party faithful.

“Now,” the senator said with a beguiling small, “I am not a republican; I do not want to abolish our monarchy and abandon our tradition like a bunch of Knootians!” Cheers erupted from all quarters. “However, government – at all levels, including the Imperial Household itself – must be accountable to the people!”

Gambino smiled as she reveled in the cheers. “Now, a vote for the Reform Party is a vote for integrity and responsibility in government! It is a vote for the Government you deserve!”

Imperial Senate, Citadel Excalbia

The dark, brooding chambers of the Imperial Senate seemed even more somber and forbidding than usual. Senators, dressed in blue robes, slowly made their way through the bronze doors into the domed, circular hall. A few senators murmured greetings to each other, but even the usual murmur of conversation seemed muted.

After the senators had taken their seats, Lady Jessica Tagaarth, the Speaker of the Senate, climbed to her chair on an elevated dais and called the house to order.

“Let it be recorded that the Imperial Senate has been called to order,” Lady Jessica said with practiced solemnity, “and that the Chair has opened the floor for motions.”

“If it please the Chair,” Senator Clinton Howe of the Freedom Party rose from the second row of the Senate’s tiered seats, “I would like to offer a motion.”

“You have the floor, Senator.”

“Thank you, my Lady,” Howe said with a slight bow before making his way to one of two podiums on the floor of the Senate. Once positioned in front of the podium, Howe gripped the edges of lectern and faced his colleagues.

“I should like to call to the Senate’s attention the recent reports that Imperial Household Agency may have exceeded its authority by covering up questionable conduct on the part of members of the Imperial family and has further exceeded its authority by giving orders to His Imperial Majesty’s armed forces apart from the normal chain-of-command, specifically, without the knowledge of the Her Excellency, the Imperial Chancellor, and this august body

“Therefore, I move that the Senate establish a select committee to investigate these allegations, determine whether there is any truth to them and to make recommendations for addressing any violations of Imperial law or custom.”

Lady Christina Freedman, the Imperial Chancellor, stood, her face flush and her eyes narrowed. “I object, Lady Speaker. The Imperial Household Agency is not subject to this body…”

“The motion has been made, Lady Chancellor,” Lady Jessica said, “if it is seconded, you may argue against it, but I will not rule it out of order.”

Lady Christina bowed and returned to her seat.

“Is there a second for the motion?”

Lady Christina turned to watch the back rows of the Senate. Senator Oliver Green, leader of the Reform Party stood. The Chancellor nodded grimly. His move was not unexpected. Her eyes widened, however, when Sir Harrison Grasis, the Imperial Treasury, stood to join him in seconding the motion.

“The motion is seconded. There shall be two speakers in favor.” Lady Jessica nodded towards Senator Howe and Senator Green. “Senator Howe and Senator Green shall speak for not more than ten minutes. Are there speakers in opposition?” The Speaker nodded towards the Minister of Defence and the Minister of Justice as they stood. “Lord Yornis and Baron Celms shall speak in opposition for not more than ten minutes.”

The Chancellor’s head seemed to fall forward on her chest. She shook her head slightly. She had feared this move, but had hoped it would not come. She reached inside her robes and removed a sealed letter. She held the letter as the speakers made their cases and Lady Jessica called for the vote.

“All those in favour of the motion, please signify by standing.”

All 18 members of the Reform Party stood and were joined by all 16 members of the Freedom Party, seven of the members of the Liberal Party and the three members of the Social Welfare Party. In total forty-two senators stood.

“Those opposed, please stand.”

All 31 members of the Progressive Conservative Party and 20 of the 22 members of the Christian Union stood.

“The motion fails,” Lady Jessica said evenly.

Lady Christina stood. “The Chair recognizes the Imperial Chancellor,” the Speaker said.

The Chancellor held up the sealed letter and walked slowly to the dais. She handed it to the Speaker and turned towards the Senate.

“In the name of His Imperial Majesty, David IV, I hereby announce that the Honourable Ministers of Agriculture and of the Treasury are hereby excused from the Cabinet.” Lady Christina’s expression was hard and cold, yet her eyes seemed to burn. “The Freedom Party is hereby excluded from His Majesty’s Government.” She turned towards Lady Jessica. “Lady Speaker, I call for an immediate vote of confidence in the new Government, consisting of the Progressive Conservative Party and the Christian Union.”

“Is there a second?”

Albert Cummings, Minister of State, stood, looking somewhat reluctant.

“The vote shall be called.”

After tallying the votes, the Speaker looked up at the house. “By a vote of 53 to 47 the new Government is supported.” Lady Jessica stood. “The Senate shall stand in recess.”

* * *

Later, in the Liberal Party’s cloakroom, Lady Jessica Tagaarth shook her head and waged her finger at her junior colleagues. “I shall not stand by and let this party – a party of ideals and hope – climb into the mud like those so-called Reformers and that Knootian-wannabe Grasis!”

“But, Lady Jessica,” Senator Jamie Yoth said plaintively, “this is too big of an issue to ignore! It gives us the first opportunity we’ve had in more than a decade to break the rightwing stranglehold on power!” Yoth turned to some of his fellow Liberal senators pleadingly. “With the Freedom Party out of the coalition, it splits the right. And if we can forge a tactical alliance with the Reform Party, maybe even some of the Christian Union, we have a chance to forge a new coalition…”

“No!” The Speaker of the Senate rapped her knuckles on the arm of her chair. “I will not allow this! We shall not exploit someone’s private life, not even a princess’, for our gain!”

“This isn’t just about Princess Christiana,” Yoth said, “it’s about the power of the Imperial Household!”

“No!”

“My Lady,” Senator Davis Robb said softly, “this is a democratic party, isn’t it? I think we should put it to the vote…”

Chateau Langeais, Langeais

Prince Joseph sighed and put down his paper. He looked over at his wife, Princess Anna. “Anna, I fear things in the Citadel are getting worse. It might be time to go back to Excalbia. Maybe there is something I can do if I am there…”

News Tonight with Imants Terzic

“An outrage! That’s what this is!” Sir Harrison Grasis, still wearing the traditional blue robes of an Imperial senator, stood on the stairs of the Imperial Senate beneath the shadow of its imposing dome surrounded by other members of the Freedom Party’s senatorial faction. “The Chancellor had obviously pre-planned this move.” He gestured forcefully as he spoke and a chorus of approving sounds rose from his colleagues. “She had a decree from the Emperor removing us from the coalition and naming a new government.”

Senator Clinton Howe stepped to Sir Harrison’s side. “This is more than an outrage; it is arrogance. A prime example of the arrogance and imperiousness of this government.”

Sir Harrison nodded. “Obviously, the Chancellor expected to deal us blow for our questioning of this government’s duplicitous response to Imperial Household’s handling of the scandal surrounding Princess Christiana and the other revelations.” He shook his head. “But the truth is that we’re glad to be out of this bloated, self-righteous government and away from its failed leftist policies. Now, we will be free to stand for our own ideals and give the Excalbian people a real choice in the upcoming elections.”

The image on the screen dissolved back to the serious though pleasant face of the news reader. “That was Sir Harrison Grasis’ reaction to today’s startling development: the dissolution of the governing coalition and the ouster of the Freedom Party from the government…”

In the private dining room of an exclusive restaurant in the old city district of Citadel Excalbia…

Senator Marcella Gambino savoured her wine, then sat it on the table. She looked over at her companion. “Sir Thomas,” she said softly, “you seem a little nervous.”

Sir Thomas Roulis, the Christian Union’s Minister of Labour and Welfare, gave a forced, anxious laugh. “Why should I be nervous? A government minister and member of one of the two remaining governing parties having a private dinner with an opposition leader? What is there to be nervous about?”

Gambino smiled warily. “I am sorry Minister Cummings didn’t feel he could accept my invitation.”

“Well,” Sir Thomas murmured, “he, that is we, felt it he was too high profile. Especially after that little stunt today.”

“That was not a stunt, Sir Thomas,” Gambino said as she probed her Caesar salad. “That was an earthquake. The centre is reasserting itself in Excalbian politics. We’ve gone too far to the right. Too far down the path of Imperial privilege.” She tasted the salad and savoured its sharp taste. “We are founded on two traditions, you know, that of the Sword and that of the Republicans from the South. One has grown far too mighty for its own good and now the other must wax while the former wanes.” She smiled sweetly at Sir Thomas. “The question for the Christian Union is which side of the equation you wish to stand on.”

“I thought the Reform Party had already made its choice – you stood with the Freedom Party today.”

“That was a necessary tactic, my dear. The truth is that the Freedom Party is far too rightwing on economic issues to make a comfortable alliance. And the leftist parties are stuck in the past. No, we believe that our parties truly represent the new middle ground in Excalbian politics.”

Sir Thomas listened, but said nothing.

The Imperial Palace, Citadel Excalbia

Lady Jessica Tagaarth stepped out of her car and caught a hold of her son’s arm. She straightened her gown and walked into the Palace. Inside, she went straight to the VIP holding area to wait to be announced at the State Dinner. After such a long and troubling day, she had no desire to attend, but she had no excuse not to attend.

After just a moment, Lady Christina Freedman, the Imperial Chancellor, arrived looking glamorous but alone.

Lady Jessica pulled away from her son. “Wait here, dear,” she said as she made her way to the Chancellor.

“Lady Christina,” she said with a nod, “you look as beautiful as ever. If I didn’t know better from first hand experience, I would swear you had spent the day getting ready for this evening.”

“If only I had,” Lady Christina said with the hint of a sigh.

“I see you are alone this evening,” the Speaker of the Senate said as she gently led the Chancellor to a quiet corner of the room.

“Yes,” the Chancellor sighed, “I’ve given up on finding escorts for these things. Right now, I wouldn’t be very pleasant company for an escort.”

Lady Jessica nodded. She motioned for the Chancellor to bend over and when she did, the older lady whispered in her ear. “The Liberal Party is in rebellion against my leadership. They want to climb into the muck and filth with Grasis, Gambino and their like. I told them I wouldn’t have it, but they decided I was old fashioned.”

“I’m sorry this mess has affected your standing, Lady Jessica,” the Chancellor whispered. Though they differed politically on most things, Lady Christina had always held the older Senator in high regard.

“Never mind about that, my dear. I just wanted to warn you. I will do my best to control these young firebrands, but if they completely slip the leash, I won’t have much say over them.”

Lady Christina nodded. “What will you do, my Lady?”

“After the election, if my party continues to turn its back on me and what we have always stood for, I will break with them. But I am too old to lead a new party, so it comes to that, I will resign and ask that my son be named in my place until the next election…”

The Insider Report

Election Rumours Heat Up in Excalbia

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ILCLBT/chancellor.jpg
Lady Christina Freedman May Be Out, Even If PC Wins
Liberal Party Divided Over Scandal
Freedom Party - Knootian Connection?
Reform Party Courting Christian Union and Freedom Party

Latest Polls Show Election Up For Grabs

PC Support Dropping; Reform and Liberal Support Growing
First Large Scale Change in Distribution of Seats in 20 Years?

The Imperial Senate, Citadel Excalbia

Education Minister Heather Altman-Faris sat uncomfortably in the large leather upholstered chair. The chair itself was fine, but the situation was… extraordinary. Altman-Faris was a minister in the current government and a leading figure in the Christian Union Party. Yet, here she was sitting in the office of the Liberal Party’s senate whip.

That, in itself, would not be unusual if she were there to discuss some piece of legislation. However, this meeting had nothing to do with legislation.

“Thank you for coming, Minister,” Senator Davis Robb said with a friendly smile. “I know that all of our schedules are quite hectic with the elections coming, but I believe it is important for us to talk.”

“Really?” Altman-Faris tried to sound non-committal.

“Yes.” Robb’s smile faded and he leaned back in his chair. “I won’t play games with you, Minister; we both know you’re too smart for that. The simple fact is that the political landscape has changed and is changing still. Whether that will change the distribution of seats enough to allow the Liberals to return to power, or open the door for one of the new parties, I can’t tell. But there is an opportunity here that hasn’t been seen in 20 years. And that, Minister, means there is a risk for all the parties on the other side, including the Christian Union.”

Altman-Faris nodded ever so slightly.

“So, in this season of opportunity and risk it only makes sense to explore all possible partnerships.” Robb gestured with his hands. “Now, on many things our parties are poles apart – military spending and gay rights, for instance. Yet,” Robb brought his hands together, “we do agree on a number of things, such as society’s responsibility to provide for the social welfare of those less fortunate. And for integrity in government.”

Robb slowly smiled. “So, Minister, we are interested in exploring whether any middle ground exists on the other issues – a common ground where we can come together.”

Altman-Faris slowly nodded. “That is an issue worth exploring, Senator.”

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” the attractive middle-aged woman in a brown pants suit looked around the room with a serious expression, “and welcome to a special edition of Inside the News. I am Greta Williams and tonight we have with us representatives of all the major parties to take your questions and those of a distinguished panel of Excalbian and foreign journalists.”

Williams walked over to a desk and sat down. To her left, positioned to face the audience, were six podiums. To her right, with their backs to the audience, sat a table full of journalists.

“Let’s get started by introducing our guests tonight. From the Social Welfare Party we have their party chairman, Senator Alexander Ruzhkovskiy, senator from New Boston.” Ruzhkovskiy, a short stocky man in a neat blue suit walked across the stage and took his place at the podium. “From the Freedom Party we have their party whip, Senator Clinton Howe of Southpoint.” Howe, a sharp featured man in his forties, strode confidently across the stage to his podium. “From the Reform Party, we have party spokeswoman Senator Marcella Gambino, senator from the 3rd district of Landing.” Gambino, slightly heavy-set but stylishly dressed, walked to her podium smiling and waving to the audience.

“Thank you, Greta,” Gambino said.

“Senator,” Williams said softly. Then, more clearly she said, “From the Christian Union Party we have party whip Senator Talbot Lauskis, senator from Valmiera.” Lauskis, a tall, thin man of plain features, walked briskly across the stage smiling thinly and nodding to the crowd. “From the Liberal Party we have the party’s new spokeswoman Senator Amanda Payne of Landing.” Payne, a young woman in pale blue suit walked purposefully to her podium. “And finally, from the Progressive Conservative Party we have his Excellency, the honourable Minister of Justice, Baron Alvis Celms.” Celms, a distinguished looking gentleman in his fifties, walked slowly and confidently to the podium, pausing several times to acknowledge people in the audience with a wave and a smile.

“Thank you all,” Williams said. Then, she turned to the journalists. “Do we have a first question?”


(OOC: Yes, this is the obligatory questions-and-answers-for-the-candidates post and it is your opportunity to post questions for party leaders. You are welcome to RP journalists or ordinary citizens. An election poll will open shortly following the questions and answers.)

“Lessie Lake, KNN world news”, a smartly dressed lady wearing a tie said. A camera on a stabiliser was pointed at her front-view as she spoke, “KNN viewers are indeed very interested in these elections. Our SLP candidate for Prime Minister, Mr. Daatman, has come under fire from left and right for having a naïve foreign policy in the Excalbian Isles. How do your respective parties regard his proposal for a greater North Atlantic agreement?”

The cameraman swung around for a view of the first podium.

---

“Muurbloem, Telegraaf”, an aging bald man who had the appearance of a child molester that had recently been arrested in Excalbia mumbled before speaking up more clearly.

“What do you Senators and spokespersons think of the lesbian exploits and the corruption in the Imperial family as exposed by my newspaper, and what are you going to do about it? Can we expect more such scandals to be revealed in the future?”

“Lessie Lake, KNN world news”, a smartly dressed lady wearing a tie said. A camera on a stabiliser was pointed at her front-view as she spoke, “KNN viewers are indeed very interested in these elections. Our SLP candidate for Prime Minister, Mr. Daatman, has come under fire from left and right for having a naïve foreign policy in the Excalbian Isles. How do your respective parties regard his proposal for a greater North Atlantic agreement?”

The cameraman swung around for a view of the first podium.


“Well,” Senator Howe said, flashing a serious but friendly look at the camera, “we in the Freedom Party welcome Mr. Daatman’s initiative. Frankly, we believe that the animosity between Excalbia and Knootoss is rooted more in misunderstandings and our own dogmatic views than in any kind of objective reality.

“We are two of the biggest economies in the region and two of the oldest and most stable democratic governments. We should be friends and partners, not enemies. If we gain a voice in the next government, we shall certainly pursue a North Atlantic agreement in cooperation with Mr. Datmaan and the Knootian government.”

“It is never naïve to want to talk peace, Ms. Lake,” Senator Amanda Payne said with a warm smile. “The Liberal Party has long opposed the current government’s tendency to militarise conflicts and to make foreign policy based on Imperial prerogatives rather than democratic principles.
“That said,” Payne’s face took on a slightly more serious expression, “there are, despite Senator Howe’s assertion, real differences between Excalbia and Knootoss. However, they can and must be solved through peaceful negotiation and the adherence to the principles of non-interference and mutual benefit.”

Senator Marcella Gambino rested her hands on the podium and smiled sweetly. “I agree with my esteemed colleague from the Liberal Party that a belief in peace is never naïve. There may be differences between Knootoss and Excalbia, but there is no need for the current level of tension. That tension is due to the current government’s attitude and the, to be honest, the power of Sword over foreign policy.”

There was an audible rumble in the audience and murmured comments rolled together. “That is why the Reform Party advocates constitutional reform that will reduce the Sword’s ability to shape foreign policy according to personal interests and place this important part of the national interest squarely under the control of the democratically elected government.”

“I agree,” Senator Ruzhkovskiy said, speaking slowly and deliberately, “that the power of Sword over war and peace must be diminished. However, the Social Welfare Party cannot turn a blind eye to Knootoss’ conduct around the world and the blatantly anti-worker policies that it is pushing on countries like the Confederation through this so-called Order of the Invisible Hand. So, while we oppose militarization of the dispute and the imperialism of the Sword-loyalists, we cannot abandon the interests of working men and women and cave into the Knootians.”

Senator Lauskis looked at Ruzhkovskiy and shook his head. Then, he turned to Lake and the audience. “First, let me rebuke some of my colleagues for blaming our Emperor and His Imperial Majesty’s Government for this dispute with the DDR. While no dispute is ever one-sided, the Christian Union believes that the record clearly shows that it was Knootian intrusion in the affairs of the Confederation and their invasion of Tanah Burung that first soured relations between our two countries. Neither the Emperor nor the government have acted with any hostility or aggression.

“We in the CU, however, prefer to focus on the future. Christ said, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ and to the extent that Mr. Datmaan and the new Knootian government genuinely want peace, we are prepared to work with them to establish a framework to preserve peace in the North Atlantic. Whether such a framework is possible, only God knows. However, at the very least, we can resolve our current dispute peacefully and restore our relations to normal.”

Baron Celms nodded as Lauskis spoke. “Thank you, Senator for your comments.” Celms turned to camera and smiled. “The only thing I can add is that our own Chancellor, Lady Christina, has called for a peaceful resolution of our dispute, as has His Imperial Majesty. The Chancellor has traveled to Saxmere to take part in negations, which are going well, and has expressed the government’s willingness to continue talks. The Progressive Conservatives stand with our Chancellor in supporting peace with dignity.”

---

“Muurbloem, Telegraaf”, an aging bald man who had the appearance of a child molester that had recently been arrested in Excalbia mumbled before speaking up more clearly.

“What do you Senators and spokespersons think of the lesbian exploits and the corruption in the Imperial family as exposed by my newspaper, and what are you going to do about it? Can we expect more such scandals to be revealed in the future?”


Baron Celms huffed and glared at the reporter. “Scandal mongering has no place in the politics of the Holy Empire. In Excalbia what an adult does in the privacy of his or her own home is not a matter of public interest of government policy. I will not dignify your muckraking with any further comment.”

Senator Gambino clucked her tongue and chuckled. “Typical PC arrogance!” She turned to the reporter. “While we agree that the princess’ personal behaviour is her own concern, we are alarmed by reports that the Imperial Household Agency has employed corrupt tactics to sweep negative reports about the Imperial family under the carpet. The Reform Party intents to carry out a full investigation and, if need be, an extensive reform and reorganization of the IHA in order to – at a minimum – place it under the oversight of the Senate.”

“We certainly agree that reform is needed,” Senator Howe said, “and the longer we delay in carrying out these reforms, the more likely it is that other, worse scandals will emerge from the Imperial Palace. Deep, institutional reform is needed to bring the Sword into the 21st century as a truly modern, constitutional monarchy. We must amend the constitution to remove the last vestiges of autocratic rule.”

“Not to join a chorus here,” Senator Payne said with a slightly playful note, “but the Liberal Party has long advocated reform of the IHA and more senatorial oversight of its conduct.

“Additionally, I would like to address the aspect of this issue that no one else cares to mention – the hypocrisy of this government and of the Sword in opposing the barest minimal guarantees of equal rights for gays and lesbians while at the same time covering up the fact that a member of the Imperial family herself is gay. Hypocrisy of this magnitude cannot be tolerated. Nor can the denial of fundamental rights – such as the right to marry and have a family – to Excalbia’s gay community be tolerated any longer. The Liberal Party pledges, if it is elected, to change the law to give gay citizens equal rights and protections under the law.”

“The government does not oppose equal rights for gays,” Senator Lauskis said evenly, “nor does it favor, as the Liberals do, giving anyone special rights. Existing laws protect all Imperial citizens from discrimination or harassment. As for marriage, marriage is what it is and has always been – a union between a man and a woman. What people do in the privacy of their homes is no one’s business, but the fundamental definitions of what is marriage and what is a family must be preserved for the benefit of society.”

“Bah,” Senator Ruzhkovskiy said, “notice how the CU and PC sidestep the real question. When it comes to the working men and women of Excalbia, no one cares what the Imperial family does in its bedrooms. But they do care that the Imperial family and the current government support a system where some people live privileged lives with more bedrooms than they could ever sleep in, while others struggle to simply have a roof over their heads. We need to worry about the real issues – the economic interests of working people!”

"Virginie Merlot, Peacock Daily News," started an attractive young woman in a light pink business outfit. "Two questions if I may, could each of the senators outline their party's position on the most desirable outcome for the negotiations currently underway between Saxmere, Excalbia, Knootoss, the Confederation and Pantocratoria? And the other question; could each of you describe how you see the future of the Pantocratorian-Excalbian alliance if your party becomes part of the next government?"

Baron Alvis Celms smiled and gripped the podium. “To answer the second question first, if the Progressive Conservatives constitute the next government, the Pantocratorian-Excalbian alliance will remain the mainstay of our foreign policy. This alliance is one of the oldest and most stable partnerships in the Atlantic. It has benefited both nations, both in terms of trade and commerce and security. We hope to see this alliance deepen and strengthen over the next five years.

“As for the first question, I believe that the best possible outcome from these negotiations would be an agreement from all parties to respect the sovereign will of the people of Saxmere and the people of the Confederation. And to allow them to chart their own destinies without outside interference. Beyond that, we would certainly welcome an agreement that end Knootian interventionism in the Northern Atlantic and pave the way for a restoration of normal relations among all parties.”

Senator Gambino smiled and straightened the multihued scarf she wore over her shoulder. “The Reform Party certainly appreciates the value of the Pantocratorian-Excalbian alliance. However, all too often it has been an alliance of two emperors rather than an alliance of two democratic governments. We believe that the alliance must be codified in such a way as to enshrine the principle that is an alliance between the people of Excalbia and the people of Pantocratoria and not just between David IV and Andreus.

“Turning to the other question, I would say that Baron Alvis has taken a narrow and cynical view of the negotiations. I believe that the best result for Excalbia would be a comprehensive agreement among all the parties that would stabilize the security environment in the region and promote growth in mutual trade.”

“Certainly reaching an agreement to establish free and open trade through out the North Atlantic would be the most desirable outcome from the present negotiations,” Senator Howe said. “Mr. Datmaan’s proposals must be seriously considered. By Excalbia and by Pantocratoria. All three nations, along with the other nations of the region, would greatly benefit from a regional free trade agreement and a reduction in the need to maintain large militaries.”

Howe smiled. “And such is the future of the Pantocratorian-Excalbian alliance – transitioning from a military-security pact to a peaceful trade and cooperation agreement that could be expanded to include all the nations of the North Atlantic.”

“While such dreams of region-wide trade and security pact are admirable,” Senator Lauskis said with a slight frown, “we need to be realistic. There is little historical, cultural or political basis upon which to construct such a tripartite agreement between Excalbia, Pantocratoria and Knootoss. So, I think the best realistic outcome for the negotiations would be an agreement on non-interference, a relaxation of tensions and a resumption of normal relations, including trade relations.

“As to the Pantocratorian-Excalbian alliance, the Christian Union is committed to preserving the alliance. It is not, as some have suggested, an alliance between two emperors or a military pact; rather it is partnership based, in my opinion, on shared values and a world view shared not just by the leaders but by the people’s of both countries.”

Senator Amanda Payne, looking far too young to among the other veteran politicians, smiled. “The alliance between our two countries has been very important to both of us and will certainly continue under a Liberal government. Senators Gambino and Howe, however, do raise some important points and we would address them in government – namely institutionalizing the alliance and broadening beyond security concerns.

“Meanwhile, we believe that the current negotiations must continue and must, at a minimum, end the threat of confrontation in the North Atlantic and restore normal relations. Beyond that, it would remain a matter of negotiation.”

Senator Ruzhovskiy rolled his eyes and frowned. “This is all gibberish.” He pounded his podium. “The bottom line is that this alliance had been bad news for the working people of Excalbia and Pantocratoria. It has drawn each country into a war of the other’s making, costing the lives not of the aristocracy but of workers, and it has opened both countries to the danger of free trade. Free trade is just a euphemism for globalized capital – a system that allows global corporations to shift jobs, undermine local producers, cut wages and generally disadvantage workers and consumers while enhancing their own profits. What we need to do is to have a working man’s agreement between Excalbia and Pantocratoria – one that will maintain peace and provide for fair and rational trade while protecting the workers in each country.

“And these so-called negotiations are poppycock! We all should just leave the Confederation and Saxmere alone and let them work out their own problems. The last thing we need is to have war with Knootoss over someone else’s business. And the next to last thing we need is to have ‘comprehensive peace treaty’ that requires us to have free trade with Knootoss!”

"A follow-up question for Senator Ruzhovskiy..." started Virginie Merlot, looking a little confused. "What war of Pantocratoria's making has Excalbia been dragged into by the alliance, senator? Do you mean the Esperi War?"

"If I could ask a follow-up as well?", Muurbloem asked. "How would you respond to the Telegraaf news that James Kennan, the claimant to the throne of Saxmere, is in fact working for the Excalbian secret service?"

With a smile, the journalist engaged his recording device again.

"A follow-up question for Senator Ruzhovskiy..." started Virginie Merlot, looking a little confused. "What war of Pantocratoria's making has Excalbia been dragged into by the alliance, senator? Do you mean the Esperi War?"

Senator Ruzhovskiy wiped his forehead, pushing a strand of graying brown hair out of the way. “That is exactly what I mean, Miss. We had no reason to go running halfway around the world to involve ourselves in someone else’s affair. We only did it, I’m convinced, to support Pantocratoria. We were dragged into that war by the alliance, the same way Pantocratoria was dragged into the conflict with Upper Virginia.”

"If I could ask a follow-up as well?", Muurbloem asked. "How would you respond to the Telegraaf news that James Kennan, the claimant to the throne of Saxmere, is in fact working for the Excalbian secret service?"

With a smile, the journalist engaged his recording device again.

“That is a lie,” Baron Alvis said flatly. “Baron James has always been and is exclusively loyal to Saxmere. If anyone has evidence to the contrary – and I mean evidence – let him bring it forth for consideration. But there will be no evidence because Baron James is not an Excalbian agent.”

“Here, here,” Senator Lauskis said. “There is no evidence that the Baron is an Excalbian agent. And you have the word of the Minister of Justice that he is not an agent. That should be all that needs to be said.”

Senator Payne nodded silently. Senator Gambino simply stood silently.

“We can only hope that Senator Lauskis is correct and that this all that needs to be said,” Senator Howe said gravely.

Ruzhovskiy snorted. “We’ll see,” he said. “We’ll see once there is a new government. I promise that if the new government contains the SWP, it will be an open government and a government that will not tolerate any duplicity from its members.”

Sweyn Castle, Citadel Excalbia

Princess Christiana sat alone watching the leaders of Excalbia’s political parties field questions from the press on Greta William’s show. She had let Tariq spend the night with her nephew, Prince James, in his suite. She was glad that Tariq and James were getting along; she had worried that the boy would feel out of place in the Citadel and among her family. Her sister-in-law, the Empress, however, had made sure to Tariq feel welcomed and included in the family. She had pushed James to spend time with Tariq and the two boys had become great friends. James, she thought, was probably relieved to finally have another boy his age around the castle.

Still, part of Christiana wished Tariq were in her apartment, playing nearby. She felt so utterly lonely. And that was not a common feeling for the princess. She greatly enjoyed the company of men – and, to tell the truth, women – and rarely lacked for companionship. And when there were no suitors around, she always had Janet, who was closer than a friend.

But, the allegations made in the press and made it impossible for her to bring Janet home with her to Excalbia. And this was certainly not the time to entertain new suitors.

The princess pulled her pink satin robe up around her chin and looked despondently at the television. Christiana wanted someone to talk with, someone to turn to for guidance, for understanding, for help. She wanted a friend. But, she had no one. There were lots of former suitors. And lots of acquaintances. But no friends. Except for Janet. And now, it seemed, fate had conspired to separate her even from Janet.

The Imperial Country Club, Citadel Excalbia

Sir Harrison Grasis smiled and lifted his glass of brandy towards his guest. “To the recovery of the great nation of Upper Virginia!”

Sir Harrison and his guest clinked their glasses together and sipped their brandy. The wood-paneled private room was warm and quiet. A fire in the corner kept off the chill of the late summer evening and cast a dancing yellow light on the two men seated before it. For several minutes there was no sound, apart from the hiss and pop of the logs and the gentle whirl of the ventilation system.

Forrest Turley, Chairman of the Upper Virginia Chamber of Industrials, held up his glass. “To the Freedom Party and its success in the elections!” The two men drank again to the toast.

“Ah, this is good brandy, Sir Harrison.”

“My own private stock, Mr. Turley.”

“So, how does it feel to be out of government?”

The former Treasury Minister shrugged. “Not pleasant. But hopefully it won’t last long.” Sir Harrison smiled and Turley nodded.

“Well, I for one look forward to the Freedom Party’s return to power. It will make our job much easier.”

“How so?”

Turley sipped his brandy and smiled. “As you know I am doing my best to reform the economy in Upper Virginia. And part of that reform is implementing a free trade pact with Excalbia. And as the party that best understands the Market, I would like to deal with you, rather than, let’s say, the Liberals or,” Turley gave a theatrical shudder, “the SWP.”

Sir Harrison nodded. “So you don’t think there will be any opposition in Courtland over tying Upper Virginia too much to Excalbia?”

“No. Some are chaffing, naturally, at seeing Excalbian – not to mention Pantocratorian and Varessan – troops still manning some checkpoints, but most of the Provisional National Assembly understands economics well enough to see that the pact benefits us greatly. Even President Harrison understands that much,” Turley chuckled lightly.

He continued, “It benefits us even more the longer you and Knootoss remain at odds.”

“Oh?”

“Of course. As long as you’re at odds with them, you won’t engage in any trade with the Confederation, not to mention Knootoss. We, on the other hand, are close to a deal with the CSS and already have an understanding with the DDR.* Why, I hope to convince Harrison to sign the KIST in a few months.”

“That won’t go over well here. That’s what started this mess with the Confederation.”

“I don’t think so, Sir Harrison. Actually, in hindsight I believe that it was two things that touched off your little tiff with President Caine. First,” Turley held up one finger, “he joined the KIST very publicly and confrontationally, and hinted at a defence pact with Knootoss. Second,” Turley held up a second finger, “he had the misfortune of joining the KIST while Excalbian temper at Knootoss was running hot over Tanah Burung.”

“And it isn’t running hot now, Mr. Turley?”

Turley shook his head. “It is on the down side. You and Knootoss have come close to war and weighed the costs and benefits. And you have both independently concluded that the costs outweigh the benefits. So, now a peace settlement is merely a matter of time.

“When we join KIST, it will be low-key, there will be no hint of a defence pact and, with tensions cooling, Excalbia will be far less motivated to respond aggressively.”

Sir Harrison nodded. “And you see yourselves then playing the role of the middle man.”

“At least until you come to a trade agreement with them.”

“That could be far off,” Sir Harrison said sadly.

“Hopefully not if you win the elections.”

Sir Harrison smiled. “From your lips to God’s ears.”

Turley smiled and took another sip. “So, Sir Harrison,” he said cautiously, “are you as frightened of the Order of the Invisible Hand as your former coalition partners?”

Sir Harrison looked down at his glass. “I’m certainly not a Knootian sympathizer nor a market-worshipper.”

“Neither am I, Sir Harrison,” Turley said. “But the Order isn’t about worshiping the Market; it’s about being committed to a rational understanding of way the world works and an appreciation for the fact that observable behaviours can be sufficiently explained by an understanding of the Market. I’m sure you can agree with me about the need to be rational in all things – especially politics and economics – and the explanatory power of the Market forces.”

Sir Harrison looked up and nodded.


* The "understanding with Knootoss" is derived from Knootoss' earlier recruitment of Turley into the Order and their pledges of support at the time.

A young man near the back of the press room raised his hand to be recognized. "Andrew Warner, Tarana Herald. Regarding the recent...'news'...reports regarding Her Highness, the Princess Christiana, do you feel that Her Highness's private life was intentionally used by foreign political interests for political ends under the cover of reporting by biased news sources? If not, why do you believe publications normally committed to gay rights would attempt to create a standard about Her Highness's alleged sexual preference through sensationalist reporting?"

Baron Alvis smiled. He could not have asked for a better question. “You are quite correct, young man. It is obvious that the journalistic attack on Her Imperial Highness was motivated by a desire to tarnish the Imperial family, and by extension, the government and the Holy Empire itself. Ask yourself, what does Her Highness’ personal persuasions have to do with the policies of His Imperial Majesty or the conduct of His Imperial Majesty’s Government? The fact that the attackers are normally supporters of so-called gay rights, makes their attack on Her Highness all the more obviously cynical.”

Senator Gambino smiled and nodded. “I agree with the Honourable Minister. However, the fact that the ‘outing’ of Her Highness was carried out as a political act should not obscure the very real and serious issue of the abuse of imperial authority. The stories about Princess Christiana also revealed that the Imperial Household Agency had used corruption, intimidation and other means to suppress prior stories about Her Highness. And that led to the further revelation that IHA has, on several occasions, usurped the position of the Chancellor and the Senate in the chain of command between the Emperor and the military. These issues cannot be dismissed and must be investigated.”

Senator Amanda Payne nodded gravely. “Senator Gambino is precisely on the mark. I would add only that this story does reveal the current government’s hypocritical stand on gay rights. That is why the Liberal Party pledges, if elected, to stand for equal rights for all citizens, regardless of sexual orientation.”

Running on the top of the Telegraaf Foreign Affairs page

"GRAND DUKE" SECRET AGENT?
EXCALBIANS DENY ANY INVOLVEMENT

EXCALBIA –The Excalbian political establishment has strongly denied that James Kennan, the Excalbian expatriate living in Pantocratoria who claims to be the legitimate monarch of Saxmere, is an agent for the Excalbian secret service. The denial comes amidst alarming claims that the so-called ‘Grand Duke’ of the Republican State of Saxmere in the Confederation of Sovereign States is in fact a political agent working for the Excalbian Imperial Intelligence.

It has been suggested by reliable sources that Mr. Kennan (seen on photo in red uniform, training with the Excalbian military) has met frequently with Imperial Intelligence (the Excalbian AIVD) for discussions prior to his moving to Pantocratoria. In Pantocratoria he has kept in touch with his intelligence contacts, presumably to increase his chances of success in overthrowing the Republic and becoming the new Monarch of Saxmere.

Kennan is on a mission that is not only political but also religious. In public, he called his mission a "Crusade [...] to liberate his people from the hands of the Order". (A crusade is a military expedition undertaken by Christians to recover Holy Land from other religions and generally to expel those religions.) .Mr. Kennan is a public opponent of religious freedom for the Order of the Invisible hand and his mission, if successful, could mean increased persecution for members of the Order of the Invisible Hand in the Excalbian Isles.

It is not known whether Imperial Intelligence shares the religious motives of Kennan, but the Emperor of Excalbia David IV has made agressive statements about both the Order and Knootoss - and the Christiana-affair has revealed that his sway over the intelligence agency and the Excalbian military is significant. The extent to which David IV was personally involved in recruiting Kennan is not clear at this time, but Excalbian governing parties are scathing about calls for a public inquiry.

Excalbian and Pantocratorian sources have confirmed that Kennan meets “frequently” with the Excalbian secret service, and he is thought to receive funding from Excalbian sources as well….

[More on page 7]

(OOC: Well done, Knoot. I like it.)

(OOC: Hehe. Thanks. I had fun writing this and I remembered your Wiki article. ;) )

News Tonight with Imants Terzic

The well-coiffed news commentator looked directly into the camera. “Tonight, on the eve of the general elections,” the man said in a serious voice, “we will be airing for you a final, direct appeal from the leaders of each of the parties. One of these individuals will presumably be the next Imperial Chancellor.”

The man turned and looked into a different camera, allowing a large graphic reading ‘Decision 05’ to be displayed over his left shoulder. “There have already been a few surprises in these video clips. The Liberal Party appeal, for instance, is being made not by long-time party leader and Senate Speaker Lady Jessica Tagaarth but by party whip Senator Davis Robb. Is this an indication that Lady Jessica will not seek the chancellorship if her party forms the next government?

“And, after weeks of letting Senator Marcella Gambino speak for the party, Senator Oliver Green makes tonight’s appeal for the Reform Party. Will Senator Gambino step out of the limelight in favor of the party’s founder if her party wins?

“And perhaps the two most intriguing questions being asked among insiders in the Citadel this evening concerns the leadership of the two parties of the ruling coalition. While there are no surprises in their videos, the questions linger. If the Christian Union takes the leadership of the next government, which Christian Union will it be? Will it be State Minister Albert Cummings’ party of social justice or the Reverend James Earl Luckett’s party of traditional values? And, if the Progressive Conservatives return to power, will Lady Christina Freedman return? Or might she be eased by another power player, such as Baron Alvis Celms, the Justice Minister?”

The newsman smiled thinly. “These questions and more will be answered in the coming days. And now, to the videos…”

The screen dissolved to a picture of a stocky man with graying brown hair and intense eyes seated behind a plain desk. “Ladies and gentlemen, I am Alexander Ruzhkovskiy, leader of the Social Welfare Party. Tonight, I am my competitors are asking for your vote. Here is the reason you should vote for the SWP and not for them: only the SWP pledges to give the working men and women of Excalbia a fair deal; decent wages, guaranteed health care, free education and equal rights for all citizens. You are about to hear a lot of promises about a lot things, but when you hear those promises, ask whose interests they serve. The interests of the wealthy? The interests of the state church? The interests of the Imperial family? Or your interests? In the end, I believe you will see that only we will serve your interests.”

The image faded and was replaced by that of a thin man with sharp, but not unpleasant, features. The man wore an impeccably tailored suit of a slightly old-fashioned cut. “Good evening. And thank you for taking the time to listen. I am Sir Harrison Grasis, one of the founders of the Freedom Party. When I helped establish this party, I did so because I was convinced that there was no voice in the political establishment to legitimately advocate for individual rights and liberties. Those parties, such as the Progressive Conservatives and the Christian Union, that claim to represent such values are increasingly advocating the same redistributive tax polices and intrusive government management of business and the economy that the parties of the left have long championed. The Freedom Party alone stands for political, civil and economic freedom and individual rights in all these spheres.

“Why should this matter to you? Consider that the Confederation of Sovereign States today has a higher per capita GDP, a stronger currency, lower unemployment and lower taxes than Excalbia. Why is that? And more importantly, why shouldn’t you benefit from an economy just as strong?”

Sir Harrison was quickly replaced on screen by bespectacled man with soft features and warm eyes. “Good evening, citizens of Excalbia. I am Senator Oliver Green of the Reform Party. I am asking you to vote for the Reform Party so that you can take your government back into your hands.” Green smiled slightly and shifted in his seat. “I know that economic policy, foreign policy and domestic policy are important. And we have tried as a party to articulate our positions on those issues. But the most important issue facing us in this election is simply this: whose government shall this be? Shall it be, as it has been called for generations, His Imperial Majesty’s Government? A government that serves the needs, wishes and, yes, whims of a hereditary monarch? Or, should it be a government of the people? If it is to be a government of the people, extensive reform is needed. The military must be placed once and for all under the control of the Senate and the civilian government. The Imperial Household Agency must cease to be a backdoor for the Sword to exercise control over the military and our police apparatus. Simply put, the IHA must be made accountable to the Senate.” Green smiled. “Please join us in this historic endeavour and, together, we can make our government a government of the people.”

The screen faded again. The familiar features of Albert Cummings appeared on screen. The rotund Minister of State looked into the camera with a serious, but not unpleasant expression. The effect was to make him look rather like a stern but lovable grandfather. “My fellow citizens, tomorrow you will take your future in your hands. If you want to see this nation turn to the left and pursue a policy of confiscatory taxes and government intrusion into how you earn your daily bread, then don’t vote for the Christian Union. If you want to see this nation turn to the right and promote economic growth at the expense of fairness while dismantling the social safety and promoting a growth in both wealth and poverty, then don’t vote for the Christian Union.

“However, if you want a government that will continue to cleave to the values that made this nation great – both moral and social values, then please do vote for us. We stand for your values – the values of faith and family, decency and propriety, economic justice and fairness. We believe that our traditional institutions – the family, the church, the Sword – promote these values and ought to be respected and cherished.

“Do we support economic growth and free enterprise? Yes, we do. But we also support giving everyone in society an equal opportunity to succeed and helping out those in need. We support our traditional values, but we also support the right of individuals to do what they wish in their private lives. If you believe in these values, then cast your vote for us.”

Cummings’ stern visage faded and in its place was the amiable, smiling face of a handsome middle aged man. “Good evening. I’m Davis Robb and I’m asking you to vote for the Liberal Party. Why the Liberal Party? Because we are the party that stands for the sensible policies of growth and economic fairness, while championing the equal rights of all citizens. We are for fair taxes not income redistribution. We are for a foreign policy that promotes peace through negotiations and diplomacy, rather than projections of naval force. We are for a non-discriminatory, multi-cultural society. And we are for honesty and integrity in government. We believe in Excalbia and its strengths, but we also believe that we can do better and be better than we are. Help us strive to achieve a society we can all be proud of.”

Finally, the screen faded and the last video clip played. The attractive and familiar form of the Imperial Chancellor, standing in front of her desk, filled the screen. Lady Christina Freedman smiled. “Ladies and gentlemen. Fellow citizens. I won’t take much tonight and I won’t give you a laundry list of reasons to vote for the Progressive Conservatives. You know what we have accomplished – we have built a strong and prosperous economy with a low rate of unemployment and a very low level of poverty; we have rebuilt our military infrastructure and established strong and enduring international friendships; we have protected Excalbia and her citizens. If you are pleased with what we have done, if you believe you are better off today than you were five years ago, then cast your ballot to return us to government. Thank you and good evening.”

(OOC: The polls are now open. If you'd like to vote in the election, please send me you ballot by tg. Thanks.)

(OOC: A bump in case any other readers are interested in voting. Please send your vote by tg.)

News Tonight with Imants Terzic

The polished news commentator looked into the camera with a grave expression. “As polls begin to close across Excalbia, we are all anxiously awaiting the first returns. While we are waiting we are joined tonight by a panel of expert commentators and journalists to discuss the election.”

Terzic gave a hint of a smile and nodded towards the panel as the director cut to a wide shot of the journalists gathered around a long dark wood table.

“Our panel tonight includes Raimonda Stafeca, editorial director of the Excalbian Business Review, Gerald Almay, political editor of the Landing Times-Courier, Evan Finch, national news editor of the New Boston Journal, Girts Rainis, chief editor of the Citadel Post and Dispatch, Lora Taurina, managing editor of Excalbia Review and, last but not least, our own Greta Williams.

“Let me start with you, Gerald, polls taken last night and early this morning indicate a sharp decline in support for the Progressive Conservatives. Why is that and who will benefit from it?”

Gerald Almay rubbed his bearded chin. “Well, Imants, the PC is losing support from both the right and left. A lot of people in its natural base seem to think that, on one hand, it’s not conservative enough on fiscal and economic issues and, on the other, that it’s too hawkish on foreign policy and too conservative on social issues...”

Lora Taurina, a youngish blonde woman with sharp features, interjected, “That’s right, Gerald, but there’s also another factor: the PCs are simply too closely linked to the Emperor and the Imperial Household Agency…”

“But,” Terzic said, “don’t the polls show that Emperor David IV remains a popular figure?”

“He is popular,” Taurina said, “as an Emperor – he’s strong, slightly stern, yet approachable. He has a reputation for integrity and decency and he has a beautiful family. People love him like a father or grandfather. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t want a government that’s willing to stand up to him once in a while. And, for better or worse, the PC is perceived as being under his thumb.”

“So,” Terzic said, “who gains from the PC’s loss of support?”

“The Liberals and the Social Welfare Party should make significant gains,” Evan Finch said. “They are, after all, the strongest opposition to the current government and, to many people, represent the best opportunity for a dramatic change in policies.”

“But I’m not sure people want dramatic change,” Raimonda Stafeca said. “They want some change – more independence for the government from the Sword, more consistency in policy… So, I think we’ll see the Freedom Party and, perhaps, the Reform Party do well…”

“That said,” Girts Rainis said, “we shouldn’t write off the PC; they’re finishing a fairly successful five years in government. I think the polls may be overstating the move away from the PC. Certainly they’ll lose ground, but, perhaps, not as much as we think.”

Terzic nodded. “Greta?”

“Girts makes a good point, Terzic. But there is one more thing to consider: no matter the outcome of the election, only one person chooses the next chancellor: David IV.”

“But the chancellor will need to sustain a majority in the senate,” Finch said, perhaps a little louder than he intended.

“True, Evan, but that still gives the Emperor a lot of room to maneuver. Even if the Liberals, Reform or the Freedom Party win a plurality, the Emperor might snub their leaders for someone who can gain their support while holding closer to his policies…”

“And what happens,” Terzic asked, “if the senate rejects his choice and we have an impasse?”

“Then,” Greta said, “things would get very, very interesting…”

Sweyn Castle, Citadel Excalbia

The princess sat, feet up on the sofa, huddled beneath her robe. She looked like anything but the wild, free-spirit she had portrayed as for most of her life.

Christiana felt utterly alone, again. Tariq was, as had become his custom, spending the night with Prince James. It was probably for the best, for the boy at least. Christiana was not so sure that being without her ward was the best for her.

The princess was a smart, self-aware woman and she could feel the tendrils of depression grabbing at her. But she felt powerless to resist them. It made her feel hopeless.

She jumped at the sound of a knock on the door. She quickly turned off the TV coverage of the elections and straightened her robe and hair; she was still a princess after all. She opened the door and found a steward standing there. He bowed deeply.

“Your Highness,” he said flatly, “pardon the intrusion. Baron Janis Tagaarth has called for you. He asks whether you will take his call.”

“Yes, yes,” she said, sounding too excited to her own ear. “Please put through to my line,” she said in a calmer, slower voice.

The steward bowed again and departed.

Moments later, the phone rang and Christiana picked it up with an expectant smile…

“Welcome back to our continuing coverage of the elections in Excalbia,” Greta Williams said with a pleasant smile. She turned to her the man seated beside her at a long desk. “The trend certainly seems to indicate a reduction in support for the Progressive Conservatives, Imants.”

“That’s right, Greta,” the man said turning to the camera. “But was what everyone was predicting wasn’t it, Evan?”

Evan Finch, the thin balding editor of the New Boston Journal, nodded. “That’s certainly what all the polls were suggesting in the run up to the election.”

“Any big surprises so far?” Williams asked no one in particular.

“The collapse in support for the Christian Union surprises me, frankly,” the sharp faced Lora Taurina said as she brushed a strand of blonde hair behind her ear.

“Me, too,” Gerald Almay or the Landing-Times Courier said as he rubbed his beard.

“So,” Imants Terzic asked the panel, “how are things shaping up for the new senate?”

“A divided senate,” Taurina said, “no clear majority or plurality.”

“What are the possible coalitions?” Terzic asked.

“If – and it’s a big if,” Girts Rainis, a big man with handsome features and salt-and-pepper hair said, “the PC, CU and Freedom Party can burry their differences, they could reform the previous centre-right coalition with a fair majority.”

“But I don’t see that happening,” Almay said dismissively, “the PC, in particular, is just too angry at the FP. And Sir Harrison Grasis, the FP leader, is still upset at the way the Chancellor tossed them out of the last coalition.”

“I agree,” said Finch, “and I think that leaves the door open to a leftist coalition, with Liberals, the Reformers and the Social Welfare Party…”

Taurina sniffed. “The SWP is too left for the Reform Party and even for a majority of the LP.” She shook her head. “A centre-left coalition of the Liberals and Reformers ought to have enough to form a government.”

“I think you’re overestimating the PC’s losses,” Rainis said huffily, “neither the LP or RP will pick up enough seats to form a government on their own. They’ll need either the SWP – which, as Lora said, is unlikely – or they’ll need one of the right-leaning parties, either the PC, the CU or the FP.”

“Which will it be?” Terzic asked.

“If I can interject,” Williams said, “I think there is too much bad blood at the moment between the PC leadership and everyone else, except the CU, for them to join any coalition that they can’t lead. As for the FP, if they joined an LP-led coalition that would be a right-left coalition and probably too unstable to survive long. Now, a coalition including the CU, weakened though it is might be doable.”

Raimonda Stafeca shifted uncomfortably in a too-small chair. "Of course," she said, "there is always the possibility of centre-right coalition led by the Freedom Party with the Reformers and, possibly, the CU..."

The weary news commentator, no longer looking quite so well coiffed, looked into the camera. “It has been a long night here at EBC, but now,” the man looked up at a camera somewhere behind the camera, “at 4 am, we are finally ready to project the winners in the last remaining senate seats and make our call for the composition of the new senate.”

He turned to the woman beside him. “Greta?”

“Thanks, Imants.” Greta Williams looked into the camera. “Now, some of these races are still pretty close and we expect there to be several recounts that may alter a small number of seats. However, these questionable races will not be enough to change the fundamental composition of the new senate.”

Greta turned slightly so that a large graphic was visible floating behind her left shoulder. The graphic appeared to be a pie chart, or rather two-thirds of a pie chart. It was filed with colors representing the distribution of seats in the old senate. The PC’s block of dark blue seats and the CU’s block of bright yellow seats formed a solid majority. Suddenly, the blocks of color shifted. The blue shrank, while the yellow – for a second – seemed to threaten to disappear. Meanwhile, the orange of the Liberal Party and the FP’s block of light blue grew.

“We are projecting that the Liberals will be the largest block in the new senate, raising its number of seats from 10 to an astounding 35 seats. The Freedom Party also gains, incrementally, going from 16 seats to 19. The Progressive Conservatives fall from 31 seats to 24. However, it is the Christian Union and the Reform Party who fared the worst, losing 12 and 9 seats respectively – that’s more than half of the CU’s block and exactly half of the RP block.”

Terzic turned to his equally weary panel of experts. “What do you make of this? Why the steep declines for the CU and the Reform Party?”

Lora Taurina leaned forward. “Well, it seems the collapse of the Reform Party can be explained by the simple fact that both the Freedom Party and the Liberals stole their issue – the need for structural reform to curb Imperial power in matters related to the military and foreign policy. Our exit polling suggests that people who previously voted for Reform, but who favor liberal economic policies returned to the Liberal Party, while those who favored conservative economic policies jumped to the Freedom Party.”

“The collapse of the Christian Union is a little more surprising and more difficult to explain,” Gerald Almay said. “However, my interpretation of the polling data is that a number of CU supporters went into the polls today fearing a victory by the Freedom Party or the Reform Party, both of which CU voters tend to associate with negative social policies, and that they made a tactical decision to vote for the Progressive Conservatives, hoping to prevent a defeat for the centre-right by concentrating their votes.”

“While that explains some of the CU’s loss,” Evan Finch interjected, “it doesn’t explain it all. It also seems that some CU voters, those who tend towards Albert Cummings’ liberal wing, felt the current ruling coalition was too hypocritical and too conservative, and jumped to the Liberals.”

Imants Terzic nodded. “While the experts will continue to discuss and debate the results, there are a few additional surprises we should mention. A number of prominent senators have lost their seats, including Oliver Green, the founder of the Reform Party, Phil Howard, the PC Minister of Technology, and, most surprisingly, the Reverend James Earl Luckett, the CU Minister of Home Affairs…”


(OOC: If anyone wants to IC'y influence the shape of the next government by trying to influence the formation of a new coaltion, this is your chance!)

(OOC: What happened to the SWP? And a score chart would be nice. I am only getting an approximation in Excel now for analysisness.)

Citadel Post and Dispatch


Big Gains for Liberals
Christian Union, Reform Party Collapse
Rumours Swirl Over New Coalition
Big Names Among the Losers: Green, Howard and Luckett

Citadel Exclabia – Election Day ended this morning at 4:13 a.m. when Imperial Chancellor Lady Christina Freedman called Senator David Robb, the new leader of the Liberal Party, to congratulate him on his party’s victory. Even after dawn, however, the nature and composition of the new government remains a mystery. Despite impressive gains by the Liberals, they remain well shy of the 51 seats needed to form a government.

With the nation’s six parties divided by ideology and personalities, rumours are rife over what deals will be made to form a new coalition. Meanwhile, there is silence from the Citadel, as the Emperor has yet to speak. There have so far been no hints or leaks about the Emperor’s choice of a new chancellor. Some speculate that he may name a minority government or select a chancellor from among the backbenches. There is certainly precedent for the latter: Lady Christina was merely a vocal backbencher when the Emperor named her chancellor five years ago.

(continued on A3)

Final Election Results

Nationwide Popular Vote

Progressive Conservatives: 20%
Liberals: 19%
Reform Party: 18%
Freedom Party: 16%
Christian Union: 15%
Social Welfare Party: 11%

Tally of Seats

Liberals: 35
Progressive Conservatives: 24
Freedom Party: 19
Christian Union: 10
Reform Party: 9
Social Welfare Party: 3

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Rev. James Earl Luckett looked sullenly into his coffee. “Albert,” he said looking up tentatively at rotund man seated across the table, “I am so very, very sorry…”

“You can’t blame yourself, Re.. James,” Albert Cummings said feeling unaccustomed sympathy for the clergy man and now former senator. “Our losses have more to do with the Progressive Conservatives and Liberals than ourselves.”

Luckett shook his head and pushed away his breakfast plate even as his wife patted his hand. “No, no, Albert. That is kind of you to say, but it is not without significance that I was the only member of our leadership to lose my seat.”

Mary Ann Luckett touched her husband gently on the cheek. “Jim…”

Luckett turned to his wife. “No, you know I’m right Mary Ann. I allowed myself to lead us too far down the path of self-righteousness.” He turned back towards Cummings. “We should have stuck more to your policies. Social justice is an important aspect of morality, Albert, and one I underplayed.” Luckett looked down the table at the sullen faces of his fellow Christian Union senators. Many of them now former senators like himself. “Albert, I shall entrust you to lead us back to our roots, our true purpose. Help the party find its unique and true voice.”

“I will, James.” Cummings nodded, even as he clutched his wife Patricia’s hand. “But you won’t be going away, James…”

“Yes, I will, Albert. I’m going home.” Luckett gave a thin smile. “I’m looking forward to being just a grandfather again. And, perhaps, when I am ready to do something I’ll try to take up my ministry again, rather than politics…”

Cummings nodded. For years, Luckett had been alternatively a thorn in his side and an ally. And now he was out of the game. Things were certainly changing.

Talking Points – a KNN ripoff… uhm… repackaged concept… creative show.

“With us today on talking points today, Hugo Deburghraeve (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Hugo_Deburghraeve) who has taken over leadership of the RCPK after its electoral defeat. Mr. Deburghraeve.” A rather corpulent man nodded paternalistically to the attractive male television anchor.

“And on the other side of the table we have Lousewies van der Laan (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Lousewies_van_der_Laan), the former Social-Liberal Prime Minister who has just finished her final term in the Staten-Generaal and who is now set to retire from active political life. Good to have you here, Mrs. Van der Laan.”

A woman with grey hair and an offensive air about her nodded, clearly she was at her best debating things furiously, despite her age. It was readily apparent that her retirement did not mean that she was going to sit behind the proverbial begonias.

“The old Excalbian government is no more. Good or bad?”, the Talking Points presenter looked over to the lady on his left.

“I think it is a very good result, and certainly one that I as a social-liberal can be happy with”, Lousewies said, flashing a smile before continuing to drive her point home. “The Liberal Party has done very well, and it shares Knootian Values. I find many of their proposed policies very appealing, so it will be interesting to see how they manage to lead in this new House.”

“Their love of the socialist welfare state and, interventionist economic policies certainly match your own far-left views. Who can forget the years of economic and political decline that were the van der Laan government?”, Deburghraeve interjected. “But the Liberal Party values are certainly not universal Knootian Values nor is their party agreeable to our foreign policies including the SLPs much vaunted 'Daatman initiative'", he looked tauntingly at van der Laan who was clearly struggling with remaining still. "No, I maintain that this is a good result for Knootoss but it is a very mixed result. Much will depend on the government coalition that is formed in the aftermath of the election.”

“Oh that is nonsense and you know it Hugo”, Lousewies defended herself. Always in attack mode, she continued: “The Liberal Party is a liberal party. In fact their record on free trade is crystal-clean compared to RCPK record. In both countries, it was the nationalistic conservatives that failed to make peace. Now it is up to liberals to try, and I have full confidence in the diplomatic abilities of Jan Willem...”

Deburghraeve was going to object, but the anchor intervened.

“Mr. Deburghraeve, you raised the issue of coalitions. What sort of coalition will be formed, in your expert opinion?”

Looking serious, the conservative leader furrowed his brow. He paused a moment before beginning to answer.

“I think that his hard to say, to be honest. The Emperor has a hand in the electoral process. The Imperial prerogative of the Emperor in Excalbia is comparable to the Imperial prerogative of the Social Liberal party over here, having the ability to pick and choose who forms the government. Much will depend on his choice for Chancellor.”

Van der Laan was bristling, but was silenced by a stern look from the anchor.

“What kind of coalition would you both prefer?”, the presenter asked the two politicians.

“I would like to see a coalition that includes the Freedom Party”, Deburghraeve answered noncomitally. “Both ourselves and the Excalbians would stand to benefit from a coalition government that favours liberty, I would prefer that they work together with the left Liberal Party which Mrs. Van der Laan professes to like. A similar combination has always worked well in Knootoss to provide stable governments, and the Christian Union and PC are too much the pawns of the personal interests of David IV in my opinion. The Excalbian people have shown their disgust with those policies in the election, so to include these parties would not be fair.”

“I agree, that a combination with the Freedom Party and the Liberal Party would probably be best for Excalbia”, she affirmed. “From what I’ve been told, they could include the Reform Party in such a government although they are not really needed to form a majority. Still, these three parties should work together to democratise Excalbia.”

“Interesting point there”, the anchor intervened, “How do you respond to the issue raised by Mr. Deburghraeve? The power of the Emperor in coalition-forming and foreign policy?”, the TV journalist asked van der Laan

“First of all, the parties in the Imperial Senate need to democratise their system. But we Knootians should also realise that we need to work with the Emperor and his political allies. Despite the charms of their Prime Minister, the Progressive Conservative Party is a nationalistic monarchist party, but it has also supported positive economic policies and free international trade.”

“Indeed”, Deburghraeve concurred. “Even when we prefer a Liberty coalition, I do not think Daatman should put his eggs in one basket, especially when the Emperor gets to choose the new government.”

“Thank you for your comments so far”, the presenter interrupted as a drumroll began to fade into the background… “We will be back, after the break. This is KNN. Stay with us.”

OOC: thanks a lot for making the pie charts smaller.

Syskeyian Embassy, Knootoss
“And on the other side of the table we have Lousewies van der Laan (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Lousewies_van_der_Laan), the former Social-Liberal Prime Minister who has just finished her final term in the Staten-Generaal and who is now set to retire from active political life.
Thank God ol'Robespierre's fianlly left the public realm, Rosa de Lima Benjawan thought as she switched off the TV.

She summoned an intern. "Sav, go watch Talking Points for me. Debauchgrave and Mrs. Reign of Terror are on. Take some notes, make sure to pay attention if they say anything important for me..."

...because I hate to hear their dreck personally, she didn't say.

23rd Pantocratorian Imperial Socialist Conference, Trades and Labour Hall, New Rome

"Thankyou Comrade Chairwoman," started a short, stocky man who was putting a motion to the floor of the conference. According to the Pantocratorian Socialist Alliance's rules and constitution, it was obliged to adopt as policy the positions taken at the conference, and so many prominent Socialist members of parliament were present, including Drapeur himself. "I move that the Pantocratorian Government no longer promote the agenda of the Emperor of Pantocratoria and his Excalbian counterpart in the Excalbian Isles, and that furthermore, the Pantocratorian Government refuse to work with any Excalbian Government which includes the Freedom Party on this issue."

"Is there a seconder to the motion?" asked the chairwoman, Isabelle Folquet, the Imperial Treasurer. She nodded as she saw somebody in the front row raise his hand, and recorded his name. "I now call on the mover of the motion to speak in favour of the motion."

"Thankyou, Comrade Chairwoman. Comrades," the mover began. "The Imperial Government has been too willing to compromise on Socialist ideals in the realm of foreign policy. Our Government is dancing to the tunes of crowned puppet masters, and Tory bastards in the Excalbian senate. A Socialist Government shouldn't be doing the bidding of either! A Socialist Government must have some principle about its foreign policy. We should let the Excalbians know that we'll not negotiate with Tories, and we should let our own Emperor know that he's no longer relevant to the political debate in this country, except as a subject of it. I commend the motion to the conference."

"Speaker against?" asked Folquet as the mover resumed his seat. Demetrios Raoul rose and made his way to the front of the conference. He took position behind the podium.

"Thankyou Comrade Chairwoman." Raoul nodded to his parliamentary colleague. "Comrade delegates, I ask you to consider for one moment the challenge which confronts the Government in making foreign policy every day. The challenge of pragmatism. Becoming confrontational with the Emperor isn't in our best interest..."

There was some snickering and heckling from the delegates, and the mover of the motion shook his head in disgust.

"It's very easy sitting here to be committed to your lofty principles! Very easy!" Raoul shouted back. "The reality is that we can't ignore or maginalise the Emperor, or he will do to us exactly what he did to the PNDP in the 80s. Now for the hardcores and arm chair revolutionaries..."

The jeering intensified, and Raoul's face twisted into a scowl of determination as he leaned into his podium.

"That's what you are! Arm chair revolutionaries! For you arm chair revolutionaries, you might think that that sort of confrontation will bring us one step closer to your long expected global revolution, but the fact is, it won't. It'll just see the rights of ordinary working Pantocratorians crushed underfoot." Raoul snapped. "We can't ignore the Emperor, and we can't refuse to work with any Excalbian Government, even one which includes Tory bastards like the Freedom Party, and I would put it to the mover of the motion, and to the other delegates, that the Freedom Party is hardly the only Tory party in Excalbia. In fact, I would put it to them that if we were going to refuse to work with Tories generally, there wouldn't be a single party left in Excalbia we could work with at all. I condemn the motion and urge the delegates to reject it."

The debate raged on until finally the motion was defeated. Drapeur sighed in relief as the vote was counted and the Government's position had clearly prevailed. Now he just had to hope that the next Excalbian Government wasn't too unpalatable...

Freedom Party Headquarter, the Right Bank of Citadel Excalbia...

“Congratulations, Sir Harrison,” Senator Clinton Howe wore a big smile as he extended his hand towards the party leader, “our best result ever!”

Sir Harrison Grasis gave his junior colleague a firm handshake and a sullen nod. “True, true. But not nearly as good a result as we had hoped.”

“But certainly,” Howe said as he continued offering his hand to other arriving party members, “it places the Freedom Party in a position to be a part of almost any coalition…” Howe looked at Grasis, his widened eyes at contrast with the smile still plastered on his face.

“Of course we will figure into anyone’s calculations for a new coalition, but,” Grasis sighed, “there is certainly room for a coalition without us…”

Howe tried to hide his disappointment. “Well,” he said as the last of the members arrived and settled in the party’s meeting room, “in any case, there is reason to celebrate our success.” He ushered his leader into the room and closed the door.

Liberal Party Headquarters, Citadel Excalbia...

Liberal Party headquarters was decorated with blue, yellow and orange streamers, posters of senatorial candidates and handwritten placards. Though the banners and signs were all showing wear and tear from night before, the mood in the hall was still festive. Senators, local officials and donors congratulated each other and shared stories and laughter.

Seeing that most of his fellow party members were present, Senator Davis Robb stood and loudly cleared his throat. “Good morning,” he said enthusiastically as the crowd quieted. “Today begins a new chapter in our party’s history and in the history of our nation!”

Robb waited for the applause to settle down, then continued, “While the election has been won, we now face the hard work of forming a government. We can take nothing for granted in this process – our opponents are working to form their own coalitions even as we speak. So, we need to move and move quickly.”

A surprisingly young woman in a conservative blue suit raised her hand.

“Yes, Senator Payne,” Robb said.

“Thank you, Senator Robb,” Amanda Payne said standing. “I just wanted to say that Senator Gambino has already called me to discuss the Reform Party’s interest in a coalition…”

Robb nodded. “I assumed they would. But we will need far more votes.”

“Davis,” Senator Jamie Yoth said rising, “what about the SWP…”

Robb laughed. “As usual they’ve campaigned themselves into marginalisation. No, there is nothing to work with there…” Robb smiled. “However, Senator Altman-Faris did call me just a few minutes ago to say that the Christian Union might be interested in a coalition.”

“Isn’t the CU just as right wing on some things as the Freedom Party?” Yoth turned to look at his colleagues as he spoke. “I’m sure the FP would be interested in a coalition and they have more votes that the CU… And fewer ties to the Sword.”

Robb nodded. “Perhaps. But with Luckett out, they’re bound to move to the centre.” Robb paused and looked towards the distinguished looking silver-haired lady sitting alone in a corner. “Lady Jessica, what do you think?”

The speaker of the Senate frowned. “You didn’t need my advice to run this campaign, Davis. So, I see no reason to offer an opinion at this late date…”

Robb’s face reddened and he turned to look for someone else to call upon.

Miller House, Citadel Excalbia...

Lady Christina Freedman, Chancellor of the Holy Empire of Excalbia, looked around at the glum faces gathered in the Green Room of her formal residence, Miller House. She almost smiled at the idea of holding one her last significant meetings as chancellor in Miller House, a residence she had barely used. For most of her term, she had lived out of an apartment next to her office in the Chancery.

“My Lady,” Sir Patrick Yarnoth, the Minister Commerce and Trade, nodded as he spoke, “what can we do…”

“Do?” Lady Christina almost laughed. “We can do nothing, Sir Patrick. We have lost…”

“But, my Lady,” Yarnoth’s voice rose and quavered, “Thalia DeSoto called me this morning and,” he swallowed hard beneath the chancellor’s glare, “and, well, the Freedom Party is interested in restoring the old coalition. We’d have enough votes…”

Lady Christina snorted. “We’d have just enough votes to be held hostage by the Freedom Party. They would demand we dismantle the social safety net the CU made us create and, in doing so, they would alienate the CU and weaken the coalition. They would force us to investigate our sovereign and the Imperial Household Agency and push us to adopt a weak and feeble foreign policy that would enrage the Emperor, annoy the Pantocratorians and greatly please the Knootians.”

The chancellor shook her head. “We have always stood for tradition and values in Excalbian politics. I don’t intend to abandon both now just to hold on a semblance of power. No, I would rather sit in opposition than sit in a government dictated by Harrison Grasis.”

Yarnoth looked around the room distressed. “But, my Lady, shouldn’t we all vote on such a decision?”

“He does have a point, Lady Christina,” Lady Gwyneth Hapsgaard, the Director of Imperial Intelligence, spoke softly but with an air of authority, “we should have a vote.”

The chancellor shot Lady Gwyneth an icy look. “Then take your vote…”

Citadel Post and Dispatch


Parties Vie To Form New Government
Chancellor To Resign From New Senate
Special Election Scheduled; Speculation Over New PC Leader

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ILCLBT/chancellor.jpg
Imperial Chancellor Lady Christina Freedman

Citadel Exclabia – As Excalbia’s leading political parties continued maneuvering behind the scenes to be the first to form a new coalition, the Progressive Conservatives were dealt a second blow as Lady Christina Freedman announced that she would resign her seat in the newly elected Senate. A spokesman for the outgoing Imperial Chancellor announced her surprising resignation late this afternoon at Miller House. The spokesman refused to explain the reasons for Lady Christina’s resignation. However, opinion in the capital is that she is resigning as a gesture of responsibility for her party’s losses in the election.

A special election to replace Lady Christina has been scheduled in her constituency and, in a potentially stunning political resurrection Lord P.R.R. Garrison has registered his residency in that constituency as a possible prelude to standing for election. A long-time leader of the Progressive Conservatives, Lord Garrison resigned his Senate seat in 2003 after being sacked as Minister of State.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ILCLBT/davisrobb.jpg
Liberal Party Leader Senator Davis Robb

Meanwhile, in the capital, rumours are rampant that the Liberals, the Reform Party and the Christian Union are on the verge of forming a new government. However, there are also reports that Freedom Party senators are frantically trying to organize a coalition of their own in partnership with either the Progressive Conservatives or the Liberal Party. So far, Liberal Party leader and presumptive candidate for the chancellorship Senator Davis Robb has refused to comment on his efforts to form a government.

(continued on A3)

Emperor To Honour Outgoing Minister; Military Chief
Move Seen As Emperor’s Vote Of Confidence In Outgoing Government

Citadel Excalbia – The Imperial Household Agency announced today that His Imperial Majesty will shortly present outgoing Minister of State Albert Cummings with a knighthood in the Order of the Defenders of the Sword. There has been speculation in the past that Cummings was on the “short list” for such an honour, but was repeatedly removed due to his penchant for embarrassing and overly frank statements. While the honour is officially being granted for his “years of devoted service to his country and to the Sword,” there is widespread speculation that this honour is intended as a sign of Imperial approval for the work of the outgoing government and a vote of confidence in the Christian Union party.

It was also announced that Admiral Sir Derek Kunle, Chief of the Imperial General Staff and Chief of Imperial Naval Operations, will be named Lord Admiral of the Imperial Navy. Sir Derek will be the first officer to hold this rank, which is solely the Sword’s to bestow, since the European War of the 1940s.

Sweyn Castle, Citadel Excalbia

Lady Jessica Tagaarth was no stranger to Sweyn Castle. She had been there often as a guest and had even been summoned to audiences with the Emperor – both David IV and his father, David III and even with his grandmother, the Empress Mary II – but this felt different. For one thing, previously she had always been summoned as a group – either as part of the cabinet or the party leadership or the Senate leadership – but this time she was being shown into chilly, polished stone halls of the castle alone.

More significant, she thought, was that the Imperial Guard was leading her not towards the throne room or the formal audience hall, but towards the Emperor’s private study.

As she approached the study, Lady Jessica pulled her colorful shawl tighter around her shoulder to stave off the chill. Her old bones felt tired and just as she thought she was truly tired of walking she spotted the Imperial Chamberlain.

“My Lady,” Lord Johannes Corman said with a gracious bow.

“My Lord,” she replied with a polite nod.

“His Imperial Majesty is expecting you. Please follow me, my Lady.”

Lord Johannes led Lady Jessica into the warm, cozy study and closed the door behind him. “Your Majesty,” he said with a bow. Lady Jessica, too, bowed at the waist.

“Please, Lady Jessica, have a seat,” the Emperor stood and nodded and gestured towards a set of leather upholstered chairs near the empty fireplace.

Lady Jessica and Lord Johannes moved to their seats and carefully sat at the moment the Emperor sat.

The Emperor, as had become his custom, was wearing a naval uniform. Though, to Lady Jessica’s inexplicable relief, it was a normal duty uniform consisting of an open collared white shirt and white trousers rather than the formal white tunic.

“So, my Lady,” the Emperor said, “would you care for a cup of coffee?”

“Yes, thank you, your Majesty.” Lady Jessica looked around, but saw no staff. Nor any guards. In fact, she, Lord Johannes and the Emperor were all alone. She turned to see Lord Johannes pouring coffee from a pot sitting on a low table between the chairs. He handed a cup to the Emperor and then gave one to Lady Jessica.

She sipped her coffee, waiting for the Emperor to speak.

After a few sips of his own coffee, the Emperor sat the cup on a table and folded his hands. “Lady Jessica, I should like to come straight to the point.”

“Please, your Majesty.”

“I would like you to be the new Imperial Chancellor.”

Lady Jessica felt her eyes widen and her heart begin to race. “Your Majesty,” she sputtered as she sat her coffee down, “the chancellorship is not a job for an old woman! I have served more than forty years in the Senate. In fact, it was my hope to resign in half a year and ask my son to be appointed to my seat…”

“My Lady,” the Emperor said with a smile, “no one can question your service and if anyone has earned a peaceful retirement, certainly you have. However, I must you to perform this one final service for your nation. For the Empire. For me.”

The Emperor shook his head. “And, my Lady, you are hardly any ‘old woman’ and the speakership of the Senate is hardly without its own stresses and grueling demands. Yet, you have performed those duties with great distinction.”

“Thank you, your Majesty. But,” Lady Jessica spread her arms, “why me? I am no longer even the leader of my party…”

The Emperor leaned back and took a sip of coffee. “I have been deeply troubled by the conduct of this last political campaign. Too many parties campaigned on divisive and bitter themes. And it has left the Senate more divided than it has been since my grandmother’s reign. I fear that if I select one of the current party leaders as chancellor I may put the reigns of power in the hands of a firebrand; someone who might feel compelled by the weight of campaign rhetoric to further the division in the Senate and to alienate the government from the Sword.

“I cannot risk the chance that reckless politicians will imperil our nation by creating an artificial divide between the elected representatives of the people and their sovereign the way the socialists have in Pantocratoria. I will not. And, frankly, I do not know this Davis Robb well enough to trust him not to do that. And, unfortunately, I know Sir Harrison and Senator Gambino all too well to believe that they would pass up such an opportunity.”

“Surely,” Lady Jessica said, feeling momentarily panicked, “you are not suggesting, your Majesty, that a fair investigation of the Imperial Household Agency’s conduct would uncover the sort of mismanagement that has been found in Pantocratoria?”

“Of course not,” the Emperor snorted, “but that is precisely the problem. The firebrands are not interested in a fair investigation – they are interested in dirt. They have already proven that by my sister. And if they cannot find any dirt in the affairs of the IHA, certainly they will turn on the Imperial family itself.”

The Emperor leaned forward and spoke in a soft voice. “My Lady, the Imperial family is like any other Excalbian family: we do our best to make the most of the life we have been given and try to be loyal to God and country. However, every family has skeletons in its closet…”

“Princess Christiana…”

“And Prince Peter… and others.” The Emperor shook his head. “I will not let my family be dragged through the mud to satisfy the likes of Marcella Gambino and Harrison Grasis. I will not let Rebecca and James grow up under the lens of a Senate committee. I will dissolve the Senate before I allow that.”

“Surely, your Majesty, you do not believe it will truly come to that…”

“With the wrong leadership, I believe I will. That is why the right leadership is so important. You are the only one I can trust who can also lead a coalition of the left.” The Emperor leaned back and sighed. “If you can give me a year – six months even – I believe the situation will cool off. And, that time will give me the chance to know this new leader of yours. And, if Mr. Robb is half the leader you are, then I will be prepared to trust him with the chancellorship. And I will name Baron Janis to take your place representing your constituency.” The Emperor extended his hand. “Do we have a deal, Lady Jessica?”

International Herald Tribune -. A random non-Knootian international paper, progressive-leaning.

International Lobby Groups active in Excalbian coalition-building

CITADEL EXCALBIA – several international lobby groups have united in their cause of getting senators and party leaders to form a progressive coalition in Excalbia, Gerald Limmerick reports.

A host of groups, including the Feminist International Alliance, the Libertarian Contact Group, international Gay Rights organisations, pro-choice groups, the State-Republican Alliance and Liberal International have united under the banner of the International Community for Progressive Change lobby which has taken to intensively lobbying Liberal and Freedom Party Senators to form a coalition.

“We want these two parties to realise that they can make a real difference for progressive change”, a spokesperson said. “But this requires the two most progressive parties work together to form a broad Liberal front on economic issues while instituting much-needed social modernisation and reigning in on the power of the Sword over matters that belong to the people.”

International Community for Progressive Change has recieved copious funding from various sources which will be used in a short but massive campaign effort to rally Excalbian grassroots and convince Senators that a FP/Liberal/Reform coalition would be the best thing for Excalbia.

(more on page 12)

International Herald Tribune -. A random non-Knootian international paper, progressive-leaning.

Syskeyian Embassy, Excalbia
Ambassador Stephen Trieu made origami out of the pages of the Tribune. "Buncha decadants wanting to liberalize this place - why do I have a sense of deja vu (http://ns.goobergunch.net/wiki/index.php/Joshua_II)?"

Citadel Post and Dispatch


Parties Close To Agreement On Coalition
Lady Jessica Tagaarth May Lead New Government

Citadel Exclabia – The capital is abuzz with reports that the Liberal Party may be close to brokering a deal to form a coalition with the Reform Party and the Christian Union. According to sources close to the on-going negotiations, the Liberals will take five seats in the new cabinet, giving three seats to the Christian Union and two to the Reform Party. The actual distribution of portfolios, say the same sources, is yet to be decided.

Early this morning, a new rumour emerged: that the Emperor had snubbed Liberal Party leader Davis Robb and asked current Senate Speaker Lady Jessica Tagaarth to head the new government. If true, this would mean, ironically perhaps, that Freedom Party leader Sir Harrison Grasis, as the second longest serving senator, would become the new Speaker of the Senate.

(continued on A3)





(OOC: Syskeyia, it's nice to see people reading my wiki entries.)

----------------------------------------------------------
Syskeyia-style pointless offhand commentary room,
in casu the HQ of Gay Rights International in Amsterdam
----------------------------------------------------------

"Drat", Adam said as he relaxed on a gigantic pink couch with red heart-shaped pillows. "That was a pointless. journey. Excalbia was fa-bu-lous, but those breeders never learn. They had to get those intolerant bastards with them in government. Now nothing will change."

"Now, now", Steve said in a hushing tone as he sat down beside the organisations lobbyist. "No need to get nasty."

Adam grinned widely and suddenly turned to grab Steve where he least expected it and hovering above him with his mouth breathing in his neck

"I'll get nasty whenever I want."

"Ooooh, is that a threat?!"

"A promise", he breathed as muffled giggles game from the offhand commentary room with only the stack of international newspapers in the corner bearing witness.

Syskeyia-style pointless offhand commentary room, [etc]
OOC: LOL!

Imperial Senate, Citadel Excalbia

Veteran senators milled about the hallway greeting their friends and sharing stories. Freshman senators, most of whom were Liberals, stood together in small clusters chatting nervously almost like children on the first day of school.

Suddenly, the massive bronze and wood doors of the Senate’s severe, domed chamber swung open. The sergeant-at-arms, dressed in traditional robes and holding the mace of the Senate, appeared and led the way into the chamber.

The senators took their places in front of their individual leather upholstered chairs. There were no desks to block anyone’s way, only small tables next to each chair.

Once all the senators were in place, the sergeant-at-arms called out, “Her Excellency, the Honourable Speaker of the Imperial Senate, Lady Jessica Tagaarth.”

Lady Jessica entered the chamber and took her place on a raised dais. With little introduction, she asked the senators to raise their hands and administered the oath of office. Then, she had the clerks bring her the results of the elections, which she signed and sealed. She called for a vote to certify the elections and they were quickly certified by a unanimous vote.

The speaker took her seat and the rest of the senators followed suit. She banged her gavel and called the Senate to order. “The chair recognizes the Honourable Leader of the Liberal Party.”

Senator Davis Robb stood, his silver hair highlighted by his blue and gold robes. “Lady Speaker, if it pleases the Senate, I have here,” Robb held up a sheet of paper bearing the blue and gold-ribboned seal of the Emperor, “a commission from His Imperial Majesty to form a new government.” Robb handed the document to a page who carried it to the speaker, who passed it on a clerk.

“Has His Imperial Majesty submitted a nominee for the office of Imperial Chancellor?”

“Yes, Lady Speaker,” Robb wore a well-practices stage smile as he produced another sealed document, which also made its way to the speaker the clerks. “His Imperial Majesty nominates Lady Jessica Tagaarth as Imperial Chancellor.”

There was some applause, a very small number of catcalls and a few gasps of surprise. Lady Jessica again wielded her gavel. “The Senate shall come to order. A nomination has been made by His Imperial Majesty and shall come to an immediate vote.”

The vote proceeded largely along party lines and Lady Jessica was duly elected chancellor. As soon as the vote was completed, Lady Jessica stood. “Having been elected to the chancellorship, I must now tender my resignation as Speaker of the Senate.” With a slight tear in her eye, she said sadly, “And, now, in my final act as speaker, I must call for nominations for a new speaker…”

Senator Clinton Howe of the Freedom Party stood. “Lady Speaker, in keeping with Senate customs, I nominate Sir Harrison Grasis, as the next longest serving senator, as Speaker of the Senate.”

The nomination was accompanied by a number boos and catcalls, mostly from the Progressive Conservatives.

“The Senate shall come to order. Is there a second?”

Lord P.R.R. Garrison, making his return to the Senate following his humiliating dismissal as Minister of State, stood in the midst of the Progressive Conservative block. “I second the nomination. Not for the sake of Sir Harrison, but for the sake of our traditions.”

Icy glares from his colleagues met Garrison as he returned to his seat.

“The nomination is seconded. All those in favor…”

Moments later, with only a dozen or so backbenchers, mostly among the Progressive Conservatives, the Christian Union and the Liberal, voting against him, Sir Harrison was elected speaker.

With a grave and noble air, Sir Harrison stepped away from his place and approached the dais. Lady Jessica stood and handed him her gavel. Then, she took the vacant chancellor’s seat in the front row of the chamber as her successor took his place on the dais.

Sir Harrison banged the gavel. “Lady Chancellor, are you prepared to name your government?”

“I am, Speaker…”

Citadel Post and Dispatch


Lady Jessica Tagaarth New Chancellor
New Government Named; New Senate Speaker Elected

Citadel Excalbia – In a dramatic opening for the new session of the Imperial Senate, Lady Jessica Tagaarth presided over her own election as Imperial Chancellor and the election of Sir Harrison Grasis as her successor to the speakership of the Senate. After her election, the new Chancellor named her new government, which includes the Liberals, the Reform Party and the Christian Union. Of the ministers of the former government, the only one returning to the same portfolio is State Minister Sir Albert Cummings.
(continued on A3)

The New Government

Imperial Chancellor: Lady Jessica Tagaarth (LP)
Minister of State: Sir Albert Cummings (CU)
Minister of Defense: Davis Robb (LP)
Minister of Justice: Jamie Yoth (LP)
Minister of Treasury: Marcella Gambino (RP)
Minister of Home Affairs: Talbot Lauskis (CU)
Minister of Agriculture: Sir Thomas Roulis (CU)
Minister of Commerce and Trade: Baroness Vivian Bodniece (RP)
Minister of Education: Sterling Wentworth (LP)
Minister of Labour and Welfare: Alexandra Baker (LP)
Minister of Technology: Stephen Ogabe (LP)

http://members.iinet.net.au/~a_marrington/ns/pantocratoria.jpg

To:
Her Excellency Lady Jessica Tagaarth
Imperial Chancellor
Holy Empire of Excalbia

Your Excellency,

We extend to you our warmest congratulations on the occasion of your election and appointment to the office of Imperial Chancellor. We believe that the people of Excalbia will be well-served by such an eminently qualified person as yourself, and on behalf of all our subjects, we wish you the very best of luck in your term. We trust that our Imperial Brother and most august friend will find you to be a most able servant, and that he will be well-advised by cabinet and government that you have formed. We look forward to continuing to deepen the bond of friendship which exists between our two peoples, and to working with you to continue to strengthen the ties of alliance which exist between our two nations.

With our sincerest congratulations and regards, given under our seal at the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator on the feast of St Valerian in the thirty first year of our reign,

ANDREUS
By the Grace of God, Emperor of Pantocratoria, Autocrator of the Romans, Caesar Augustus, King of France and Navarre, Equal of the Apostles, et al.

New Rome, Pantocratoria

Ambassador Rev. Jacob Donnelly waited patiently outside the Foreign Minister's office. His stomach twisted and lurched. To be certain, he was not nervous about his call on the Minister; the message he carried was a normal part of diplomatic business. Rather, it was what awaited him back home that played on his mind.

Demetrios Raoul's secretary ushered Donnelly in, with the air of hurried courtesy he had come to expect from her. Raoul rose to his feet and shook the Ambassador's hand, and beckoned him to sit.

"Reverend Donnelly," Raoul said. "Welcome. I hope it isn't too much of an assumption, but I take it you're here to discuss your new government?"

Rev. Donnelly shook the Minister's hand and took his seat. "Indeed, your Excellency, that is a fair assumption."

Donnelly sat a little stiffer than usual and folded his hands together on top of a leather portfolio resting on his lap. "I gather, Minister Raoul, that you have heard of the formation on a new government in Citadel Excalbia. Lady Jessica Tagaarth, the former Speaker of the Senate, has been named the new Imperial Chancellor." Donnelly gave a slight smile. "However, Minister Cummings, or I suppose I should say Sir Albert Cummings, has been retained as Minister of State. So, while there may be changes in our foreign policy, there should also be a fair degree of continuity."

The ambassador opened his portfolio and produced a sealed letter, which he handed to Raoul.

"Unfortunately, there will be a change in the Holy Empire's representation here in New Rome." Donnelly smiled nervously and swallowed. "After, I understand, considerable debate in the new cabinet, I have been asked to return to Citadel Excalbia and assume the post of Director of Imperial Intelligence.

"The letter, from Lady Jessica, is formal notification of my recall and a formal request for agrément on the nomination of my successor." Donnelly paused for a moment. "His Imperial Majesty has informed Lady Jessica that it is his desire to nominate our former chancellor, Lady Christina Freedman, as his new ambassador to Pantocratoria. Pending your agreement, of course."

"I see." Raoul nodded. He offered his hand to Donnelly again. "It would see that congratulations are in order, Ambassador. I'm sure that you'll make a fine Director of Imperial Intelligence."

After he shook the Reverend's hand, he reclined back into his seat and nodded thoughtfully. He frowned at the suggestion of Christina Freedman.

"Wouldn't that be... rather a demotion for a former Chancellor?" Raoul asked. "I mean, we would be very happy with the appointment of Lady Christina, of course, and I'm sure His Majesty would be most pleased. To your knowledge, is Lady Christina happy with the appointment?"

Donnelly nodded politely as he accepted Raoul’s congratulations. “Thank you, Minister. I was, honestly, somewhat surprised by the appointment.”

The ambassador carefully watched the minister’s reaction to Lady Jessica’s letter. He shrugged in response to the minister’s question. “I am afraid I do not have any direct knowledge of Lady Christina’s opinion.” He leaned forward slightly. “However, I have heard that she has grown tired of politics and is actively looking for other areas of involvement. The fact that she resigned her senate seat, I think, gives those reports some credibility. There were even rumours that she was considering a return to television journalism.”

The ambassador leaned back in his chair. “Whether Lady Christina sees her assignment her as a long term project or something of a more limited nature, I cannot say. I can say with some certitude, however, that His Imperial Majesty sees this appointment as a confirmation of the importance he attaches to our relations with Pantocratoria.” Donnelly did not add that it also confirmed the Emperor’s support of Lady Christina’s former government and served as a gentle poke in the eye of the new government.

Citadel Post and Dispatch


Senate Votes to End Flat Tax
Graduated Taxation Said to Benefit Workers, Poor

Citadel Excalbia – In its first major break with the policies of the past, the new Liberal-Reform-Christian Union coalition government introduced a bill to institute graduated taxation of some income. This will replace the current modest flat tax on some, but not all, personal income. The system of value-added-taxation will remain unchanged.

The measure, introduced formally by Treasury Minister Marcella Gambino, was passed by the Senate in a straight party-line vote, with the government being joined by the Social Welfare Party’s three senators. There are rumours, however, that the Emperor, closely identified with the former Progressive Conservative government, is weighing a veto of the measure.
(continued on A3)


Sweyn Castle, Citadel Excalbia

As the meeting of the so-called ‘national security cabinet’ drew to a close Emperor David IV looked around the table. Only the rounded face of State Minister Sir Albert Cummings and the dark features of Lord Admiral Derek Kunle seemed familiar. Of course the emperor knew very well Lady Jessica Tagaarth, but it seemed odd to have her occupying the chancellor’s chair. And the others – Defence Minister Davis Robb, Justice Minister Jamie Yoth, and the new Intelligence Director, Rev. Jacob Donnelly, seemed so out of place that they might as well have been strangers to David IV.

“Well, then, I think that is all for now,” the emperor said rising. The officials seated around the Map Room’s antique table quickly rose to their feet.

“Thank you, your Majesty,” they murmured in unison.

The emperor nodded and turned to leave. “Your Majesty,” Lady Jessica said respectfully, “have you reached a decision on the taxation bill?”

David IV turned and regarded his new chancellor. “Not yet, my Lady.” Then, turning to the state minister he said, “Sir Albert, would you join me for a moment?”

Albert Cummings nodded and turned to the chancellor, giving her a sympathetic look. He hurried after the emperor into a small private hallway leading to the emperor’s study.

“Sir Albert, does the Christian Union really support this new tax law?”

“We’re about 50-50, your Majesty,” he said honestly. “However, in the end we endorsed it for the same reason I urge you to sign it, your Majesty…”

“Oh,” David IV arched an eyebrow, “and what reason is that?”

“This is a relatively innocuous measure, considering the full scope of what the Liberal and Reform backbenches are pushing for. Agreeing to it gives their leadership an early victory and saves our disapproval, and your Majesty’s veto, for more important and more onerous measures.”

The emperor nodded. “Please tell Lady Jessica that I will give my ascent to the taxation bill later today.”

Sir Albert bowed then hurried back to the chancellor.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~a_marrington/ns/pantocratoria.jpg

To:
Her Excellency Lady Jessica Tagaarth
Imperial Chancellor
Holy Empire of Excalbia

Your Excellency,

We extend to you our warmest congratulations on the occasion of your election and appointment to the office of Imperial Chancellor. We believe that the people of Excalbia will be well-served by such an eminently qualified person as yourself, and on behalf of all our subjects, we wish you the very best of luck in your term. We trust that our Imperial Brother and most august friend will find you to be a most able servant, and that he will be well-advised by cabinet and government that you have formed. We look forward to continuing to deepen the bond of friendship which exists between our two peoples, and to working with you to continue to strengthen the ties of alliance which exist between our two nations.

With our sincerest congratulations and regards, given under our seal at the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator on the feast of St Valerian in the thirty first year of our reign,

ANDREUS
By the Grace of God, Emperor of Pantocratoria, Autocrator of the Romans, Caesar Augustus, King of France and Navarre, Equal of the Apostles, et al.


Your Imperial Majesty,

You favor me with your kind sentiments. I look forward to serving His Imperial Majesty and the people of Excalbia to the best of my abilities.

I also wish to affirm for you, your Majesty, that His Imperial Majesty has strongly impressed upon me the importance of the bonds of friendship and alliance between our nations and our peoples. I, too, share His Imperial Majesty’s commitment to the alliance and, indeed, I hope to enter into fruitful discussions with your government to deepen and solidify those bonds.

Humbly yours,

Lady Jessica Tagaarth
Imperial Chancellor of the Holy Empire of Excalbia

The Imperial Chancery, Citadel Excalbia

Lady Jessica Tagaarth looked rather small and frail as she sat in the high-backed, deeply padded chair of the imperial chancellor. However, her eyes were clearly and fiery, giving her an aura of impenetrability not so different from that of her much younger predecessor.

“Now that we have staked some claim to setting the domestic agenda for the Empire, we must turn our attention to the stalled negotiations with Knootoss.”

Marcella Gambino, the Minister of the Treasury, shook her head. “It always comes back to Knootoss, Saxmere and Pantocratoria!” She huffed for a moment. “Surely our domestic agenda is more important and in greater need of attention; the last government seemed to forget there was a domestic agenda.”

Davis Robb shook his head. “Marcella, we will advance the domestic agenda, I promise you, but as long as this is hanging over our head, we do not have that luxury. We must settle this once and for all.”

“I agree,” Alexandra Baker pushed a short-cropped strand of reddish hair off her face, “we should just sign the Knootian’s peace treaty and be done with it!” The Minister of Labour and Welfare impatiently crossed and uncrossed her legs as she shifted in her chair.

“Indeed,” agreed the commerce minister, Baroness Vivian Bodniece, “by doing so not only can we get this problem off our agenda, we can advance our trade position in the North Atlantic…”

“Not so fast, Baroness Vivian, Ms. Baker,” Sir Albert Cummings shifted his bulky frame in his chair as he spoke. So far cabinet meetings had proven themselves to be much more of a free-for-all than they had been under Lady Christina. “We cannot willy-nilly agree to every concession the Knootians demand just for the sake of checking an item off our agenda!”

“I must agree with the Minister of State,” Robb said unenthusiastically, “we are the government now, not the opposition. We must think of our nation as well as our party… er, parties.”

“I am thinking of the nation, Davis,” Baker said sharply, “and the people who elected us…”

“Enough,” Lady Jessica said softly, bringing instant silence to the table. “I think we can all agree, Sir Albert, that we need to move forward expeditiously but carefully on an agreement with Knootoss to end this stand-off and let Saxmere proceed with its referendum. In that way, Ms. Baker, Baroness Vivian and Ms. Gambino, we will be able to extricate ourselves from this situation and proceed with our other priorities. However, I will not have us ‘give the farm away’ to a bunch of Dutchmen in cheap suits. We will come to a mutually acceptable and beneficial agreement with the Knootians. One that we can persuade His Imperial Majesty to actually sign.”

Heads nodded around the table, some more grudgingly than others.

“I propose we invite the Knootians to resume talks at once. Before the talks begin, however, we should confer with the Pantocratorians. And seeing as how our ambassador is not yet in place in New Rome,” Lady Jessica did not mention the emperor’s somewhat inflammatory decision to name her predecessor ambassador to the court of Christ Pantocrator, “ we will need to deal through the Pantocratorian ambassador. Please arrange a meeting, Sir Albert.”

(OOC: This might have more properly gone in the New Order Rising... thread, but, since that seems to be lagging at least a few weeks behind this in IC time, I posted it here to establish relationships and thoughts within the new government.)

Near Midnight in Citadel Excalbia…

“… as for the clown, he’s receiving treatment at Mercy Hospital in Landing.” The newsreader looked into the camera and smiled. “And that’s the news. I’m Greta Williams. From all of us at EBN News, good night and pleasant dreams.”

The smiling face of Greta Williams dissolved into the EBN network logo. As the names of the news broadcast’s crew scrolled rapidly across the screen a voice said, “Stay tuned for Later with Rockne O’Bannon. Tonight Rockne will be featuring Idiotic Pet Tricks and music sensation Carly Olgesby…”

Across the capital, parents who had tucked their children into bed hours ago prepared themselves for bed. Hardworking government bureaucrats, office workers, shop clerks and high tech factory labourers prepared for a well-earned rest before another day of earnest work.

As the decent, honest folk drifted to sleep another side of the capital awoke. In the underground clubs of the Right Bank the young and wealthy mingled with the young and attractive. Many young nobles – several of whom were once known as “Friends of Peter” – cruised the clubs. Some of the former “Friends of Peter” missed the young prince, who had been something of a patron. Others still felt insulted at how quickly he had brushed them aside. Among this group was one Celeste de Frankopolis, who had come from Pantocratoria expecting to be the prince’s bride, or at least his mistress. Finding herself to be neither, she had quickly found other willing companionship. A few former “FoPs” – those who held respectable sounding daytime jobs like investment banker or stock broker – were still friends with the prince and understood his need, as the betrothed of a foreign leader, to be fully respectable.

Elsewhere, men who were neither young nor attractive – though some were wealthy – met in the dark corners of the port district to do business. The market – as both mainstream economists and members of the Order of the Invisible Hand would agree – serves to produce a supply to meet demand. Wherever there is demand, no matter how costly or illegal, there will be supply. A wide range of goods, from embargoed Knootian consumer goods to banned substances, entered the city under the cover of darkness. The men who shipped them and received had as wide a range of motives; some accepted themselves as criminals, while others saw themselves as businessmen. A third party was present at some – but not all – of the transactions, as the police and customs agents tried to interfere in the market as diligently as the others tried to meet its demands.

In other dark and quiet places, the powerful and respectable met to discuss those things they deemed not sufficiently respectable to mention in the daylight. Among them was Baron Janis Tagaarth – son of the Imperial chancellor, recently appointed director of the Imperial Assistance and Development Fund and reputed new beau of Princess Christiana – who sat quickly in a dark corner of the Chop Shop, a famous steakhouse incongruously located in the industrial section of the Right Bank. Beside him Lord James Reynolds, the disgraced former director of Imperial Intelligence, plowed through a steak while Forrest Turley, the Chairman of the Upper Virginian Chamber of Industrials, sipped at a glass of fine wine.

Turley lifted his glass. “Congratulations, again, Baron. Your position is most fortunate…”

Baron Janis smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Turley. However, I must stress that I am not member of your Order. Nor a sympathizer…”

Turley smiled. “I understand, perfectly, Baron. The Market is built upon the fundamental truth that individual actors maximizing their own self-interest will, in the aggregate, maximize the best interests of society.” He shook his head good naturedly. “You do not need to believe as I do, Baron, or even lend credence to my philosophy, to see that – for this moment – we have a coincidence of interest and that is in both our interests to cooperate.”

Lord James finished his bite of steak and washed it down with a long sip of his whiskey. He dabbed at his mouth. “Indeed, though I, too, am no Knootian market-worshipper, we do share an interest in restraining the expansion of Imperial power, ensuring peace between Excalbia, the C.S.S. and Knootoss and preventing the new government from imposing socialism on the Isles…”

Baron Janis rolled his eyes. “I will not undermine my mother’s government, Lord James; I respect her far too much, as a mother and a politician.”

“Yet you accepted my invitation,” Lord James said as he dusted crumbs from his beard.

Janis shrugged. “I am concerned about some the extremist elements.” He looked to Reynolds. “Though I am more concerned about extremism in the Imperial Household than in the government…”

Turley smiled and sipped his wine.

“Well, then,” Reynolds said after another long sip of whiskey, “how do we act in our mutual interest?”

Janis rubbed his chin. “I – and many of my fellow barons – have worried for years that despite the written constitution, the centralization of power in the hands of the national government and the powerful executive powers of the emperor create the preconditions for authoritarianism.”

Lord James nodded. Turley simply listened.

“Now,” Janis spread his arms, “I am not suggesting that His Imperial Majesty is, or aspires to be, an autocrat or an authoritarian ruler, but the possibility that he – or a successor – could assert near dictatorial powers is certainly real.”

“I would contend he already has crossed that line,” Lord James said.

Janis merely glanced at the older man, then continued. “In fact, my fellow barons and I believe that the last real check on Imperial power was swept away when David I abolished the Council of Lords in 1887.” The baron noted Turley’s skeptical look, but continued. “We believe that, if the Council was reestablished, as an upper house of the Senate, if you will, and certain powers were taken from the central government and returned to the baronies, it would decentralize the empire and curb Imperial excess.”

Janis leaned back and sipped at his own glass of cognac. “In Saxmere, we stood up for the democratic rights of separate and distinct society within the larger society of the Confederation. How can we do less for the distinct communities of our own empire?”

Lord James chuckled. “How does your ‘girlfriend’ feel about your ideas, your Excellency?”

Baron Janis arched an eyebrow and frowned. “Her Imperial Highness is actually quite sympathetic to my idea, your lordship.”

“So, how would this advance our mutual interests?”

Lord James turned his head to one side. “I think I see where the baron is hoping to go. If there were devolution of power to the baronies and a baronial check on the emperor and the Senate – and thereby on the government – it would be far more difficult for the emperor to engage in foreign adventures or for the government of the day to set economic policy for the nation…”

“Hmmm,” Turley swirled his wine, “we should think how we could advance this agenda…”

The Imperial Palace, Citadel Excalbia

Princess Christiana sat on a sofa in the bedroom of her apartment in the Imperial Palace. Her brother could – and, in fact, had – pressured her to resume residence in Citadel Excalbia, but even he could not force her to live in Sweyn Castle. So, here she was, ensconced in the roomier and more modern Palace. Within sight of the Castle, but still out from under the Emperor’s nose.

She pulled her knees close to her chin and watched a view minutes of the rather tedious romance playing our across her TV screen. She turned to Baron Janis, who like her was clad in an Imperial blue robe. “Jani,” Christiana purred, “would you get me another glass of wine?”

Baron Janis Tagaarth rose with a slight smile and returned with a glass of red wine. He handed it to the princess and joined her on the sofa.

“Do suppose people suspect?” Christiana asked.

“That we spend most of our time together plotting against your brother and watching old movies?”

Christiana chuckled. “Most, but not all.”

Neither Christiana nor the baron were strongly attracted to each other. But they had known each other for years and had become very close friends. The baron, who had divorced as a young man and never remarried, and the scandal-plagued princess each had reason to let the public assume their relationship was more romantic than it really was.

Janis smiled. “Eventually, if we keep this up, I suppose we might have to marry. Just to maintain appearances, as it were.”

“Well, that would involve quite a prenup, wouldn’t it, Jani?” Christiana chuckled again.

“Indeed, Christi.”

The princess tossed a pillow at the baron. “I told you not to call me that, Jani!”

“Fair is fair, your Highness,” he laughed.

Christiana sipped her wine. “So, Jan,” she stressed the name, “tell me more about this federalist idea of yours. And about how that Uppie Turley and that old lush Reynolds plan to help you. And where I come in…”

The Imperial Senate, Citadel Excalbia

Sir Harrison Grasis had grown to thoroughly enjoy his office as Speaker of Senate. The chancellor’s office might be larger, and the house that went with it was certainly impressive, but the view from Grasis’ office was spectacular. Situated in a corner of the Senate building, it opened onto a concealed balcony that wrapped around the corner. Hidden from the street by the building itself, the balcony gave one a view of the river, Citadel Hill and the cathedrals and buildings of the Old City.

Sir Harrison spent much of his time in a comfortable chair on the balcony working on a laptop. A table nearby was covered with official papers, drinks and light snacks. It was a wonderfully relaxed and private, yet elegant place to work.

The speaker closed his laptop and stood as an aide escorted Forrest Turley out onto the balcony. “Mr. Turley,” the speaker said, “have a seat. Would you care for a drink?”

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker,” Turley said taking his seat.

“How are the trade negotiations going?”

“We are making good progress with Baroness Bodniece.”

Sir Harrison nodded. “And how was the meeting with Lord James and Baron Janis last night?”

Turley smiled wryly. Sir Harrison was certainly direct. “Very well. Baron Janis was telling us he intended to mount a campaign for the devolution of power…”

“Devolution?”

“Yes, Mr. Speaker, to the baronies and other regional authorities…”

Sir Harrison rubbed his chin.

Inside the News with Greta Williams

The well-coiffed but serious looking newsreader looked into the camera. “We’re back with Baron Janis Tagaarth, the Director of the Imperial Humanitarian Assistance and Development Fund and the son of Imperial Chancellor Lady Jessica Tagaarth.”

Williams turned to look at Baron Janis. “On another topic, Baron, you have recently been promoting a new political idea – the notion of federalism and a revival of the baronies. What is it, exactly, that you are proposing, Baron.”

Baron Janis smiled warmly. “Simply put, Greta, I am urging a return to the Excalbian tradition of local autonomy. Our leaders just starred down the governments of the Confederation and Knootoss in order to defend Saxmere’s rights to autonomy.”

He paused for a second. “And now my question is, shouldn’t our government grant communities within the Empire – communities that, in many cases, have a longer history of local rule than Saxmere – the same autonomy it demanded of the Confederation for Saxmere?”

Janis shook his head and held up his hands in a good natured expression. “Now, I am not suggesting going as far as the Saxmereans wanted to go; I am not suggestion secession or even the devolution of as much power to the communities as the states of the C.S.S. held even before the Saxmere crisis. No, I am simply saying that there more decisions – about social and economic policies that directly affect local communities – which could be left to local governments with greater autonomy.”

“Don’t local governments already exist, Baron?”

“City governments. And town governments, Greta. But not governments that fit the traditional communities of Excalbia. Take Aluksne, for example. Aluksne is more than a town; it is the surrounding country side and numerous villages. All of our people in Aluksne share a common history, a common ancestry. As a result, our worldview is probably a bit different than that of someone from Landing or the Citadel. So, why shouldn’t Aluksne, as a community and not just a collection of separate towns and villages, have a government that reflects our community, our values and our interests?”

“With you as its head, Baron?”

Janis laughed. “No more so than the Emperor is head of the Excalbian government or no more than Grand Duke James aspires to be the head of a Saxmerean government.” Again he shook his head. “Naturally, I would like to have the chance to serve my people as my ancestors did. As the Emperor does. Yet, I am also committed to democracy and liberty. Of course Aluksne – and other communities – should have an elected government. And representation – as a community – in the legislature.”

“So,” Williams leaned forward, “you are proposing a revival of the Council of Lords!”

“I am proposing a second chamber for the legislature. Not to replace or supersede the Senate, but to complement it. Whether it is called a Council of Lords or something else is not the issue.”

The Morning Edition

The screen tracked with the stooped form of the chancellor as she walked from her car to the entrance of Miller House. A reporter’s voice shouted, “What do you think of your son’s ideas about local autonomy?”

The chancellor turned and looked at the reporter. “My son does not – nor is he required to – discuss his political ideas with me. Like any other citizen with a proposal for government, he is lobbying and trying to attract attention to his idea. However, as Imperial Chancellor, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on his ideas before the government has had the opportunity to formulate policy. Thank you.”

With a curt nod, the chancellor turned and hurried into the building.

Sweyn Castle

Princess Christiana resisted saying something smart as she walked into her brother’s study. Instead she simply said, “Good morning, David. You called for me?”

Emperor David IV stood. He was wearing, as had become his custom, a white short-sleeved naval uniform. Christiana had grown to hate it.

“Yes, please come in, Christiana.”

She noticed that he did not invite her to sit, so she stood. Her brother remained on his feet as well.

“I was wondering if you knew what your friend,” he overemphasized the word, “Baron Janis, is on about.”

Christiana gave her brother a blank look. “Pardon me?”

“Baron Janis. He was on TV last night going on about local autonomy and the baronies and the revival of the Council of Lords! He is on it again about it again this morning. On TV and in the op ed pages.” The Emperor casually tossed a paper to his sister. “I thought you might know what is behind this…”

“I’m sorry, David,” Christiana said, shaking her head, “he has mentioned something about local self-rule, but, frankly,” she smiled sardonically, “while you may find it hard to believe, most couples don’t sit around discussing politics.”

The Emperor frowned. “Very well.”

“Should I go, then?”

“No,” David said flatly, “there is one other thing. We are sending troops to Marlund to assist the Allied forces there…”

“That’s a surprise,” Christiana murmured.

David pretended not to hear her interruption. “However, Marlund has problems that troops alone cannot solve…”

“You mean there are problems that can’t be solved by running around with guns and ships?”

The Emperor’s face burned hot, but he continued without comment. “It occurs to me that the Imperial Fund, and your own business interests and charities, might be able to help as much as, if not more than, our troops.”

Christiana stood silently.

“And, Christiana, I cannot think of anyone better suited to take charge of the day-to-day operations of such a large project.”

“David,” Christiana stammered. She was genuinely stunned by David’s sound of sincerity. “Of course, I would be honoured to take it on…”

“Naturally,” he said, “you will need to be on the scene.” Christiana nodded. “And I think, as Director of the Fund, that Baron Janis should go with you.”

Christiana’s smile turned cool. So, there was the other shoe.

“I think you both should leave at once…”

“Of course, David.” Christiana said with a nod. She turned and walked out of the study.

In the hall, she momentarily slumped against the wall. She was feeling suddenly guilty and conflicted. She knew that, in part, this was just David trying to get her and Janis out of the country. But, he sounded, for the first time in a long time, to be genuinely respectful, even proud, of her good works.

The princess shook her head and stood straight. A fleeting word would not derail her plans. And, she thought, she had no reason to feel guilty. After all, she rationalized, she was not plotting against her brother; she simply wanted to see him lose a little bit of his power. It might make him less arrogant and self-righteous. And, she reassured herself, it was for the good of the nation.

Continues here: http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?p=9754229#post9754229