NationStates Jolt Archive

OOC: Its time to keep the Imperial line going.

"Good morning, Imperator," one of Imperator James' aides said as he opened the doors to the Imperator's chambers. He saw the Imperator lying on his bed, pale and not breathing, a bottle of nitroglycerin pills spilled across the floor: The Imperator had suffered a heart attack. "Oh my God..."

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On New Haven State Television, some old propaganda film was playing (one from the time of the Hattian Civil War) when suddenly a new screen appeared: BREAKING NEWS.

"Good morning, this is New Haven State News..." the reporter said as he tried to steady himself. "Earlier this morning, aides to Imperator James the First found him dead from an apparent heart attack. Doctors explained that the 65 year old leader had been suffering from heart problems ever since his rise to power at the end of the UnAPS-Allanean War. Now will come a test as old as time itself: the Imperial Succession. Right now, three heirs are poised to lay claim to the throne:"

"Prince Robert of Asherton, Lieutenant Colonel in the New Haven Ground Forces, graduated with a 4.0 from the Freeport Officer Academy three years ago and holds a Masters in Sociology and a Bachelors in Military History. If selected, he will be the youngest Imperator in New Haven history (even though he will only be the second in the modern age), a title he may keep for generations."

"Princess Sara of Stanley, Captain in the New Haven Aerospace Forces, graduated from the Upsilon Andromedae Aerospace Naval Academy with a GPA of 3.65, holds a Bachelors in Economics and another in Political Science. She is currently 20, sharing the record of youngest Captains in the New Haven Fleet."

"Princess Ashley of Baltic Major, Captain in the New Haven Aerospace Forces, graduated from the Upsilon Andromedae Aerospace Naval Academy with a GPA of 3.95, holds a Bachelors in Economics and another in Military History. She is also 20, being the twin sister of Princess Sara, and also holds the record for being the youngest Captain in the New Haven Fleet."

"Over the next twenty days, Imperator James will be buried and he crown transported to the Senatus Floor for the reading of the Imperial Will and the crowning on a new Imperator. If two or three of them are crowned together, depending upon the Imperial Will, we will have a specific Imperator for two or three specific areas. This is John Pierce reporting..."

I'm deeply saddened by the death of the Imperator. He was a good comrade. The people of New Haven, and the Newman family, have my condolences and that of the entire Halladi Workers Republic. It would be an honour to attend his funeral.

Premier Hasan Muhammad
The Halladi Workers Republic

On the third day after his death, the Imperator's body was moved to the Northern Concrete Circle in New Freeport Park, which was a square of trees and grass and gazebos all around the New Freeport Citadel. It was in a glass chamber that was flooded with nitrogen gas to help prevent necrosis (even though the body had already been embalmed).

Crowds of people of all walks of life: workers, soldiers, managers, Senators, sailors, pilots, officers, housewives, children, etc.; all of them gathered around the body of their beloved Imperator. Women and children cried, men took off their hats and bowed their heads silently.

Communiques were sent to the leaders of many countries, asking them to attend the funeral. The body would remain in state for ten days, at which point a new Imperator would be crowned in a secret ceremony in the Senatus. While the Imperator wore a crown, it was not the Imperial Crown (which had already been secreted away).

It is with deep regret that we say goodbye to the man that has probably done the most to bring our two nations together. When his own brother died at the hands of our prince Aseroth Xiloscient during an unfortunate battle over Tiburon held Shen-Zhou, James Newman was able to look past his brother's death to the future. This future included an alliance between our two nations and Zepplin Manufacturers, Incorporated. When ZMI and Midlonia staged a coup in the Concordat and ejected us, New Haven stood by us and left as well, joining us to form the Hermes Alliance.

When Allanea launched a chemical attack on our border, Imperator James pledged his support and the lives of thousands of his men to defend us and bring justice to the plague that had been infecting Haven since he took power. Together, our militaries obliterated the scourge and it's allies. Sadly, the other nations in Haven were blind to the atrocities commited by the barbarians we destroyed. Together, Newman and I, along with Premier Muhammad of Hallad, agreed to leave Haven to sleep in it's own bed, and abandoned the region. After leaving Haven, James found a star system for our displaced citizens to dwell in, and our people are colonising it as we speak.

Though Bryn Shander weeps, I have faith that our two nations will stay close and continue to prosper.

OOC: Access to the net is still lacking. If I can't post before the coronation, King Nightbane and all of the princes and princesses will be attending. Chances are that Nightbane will hit on the twins. >_>;

The delegates arrived and were shuttled into the New Freeport Citadel on the 20th day. The crowd of Senators and Foreign Delegates entered the Senatus, where guards controlled the flow and then barred anyone from the press or civilians from entering the Senatus Chambers.

The doors were closed behind the last Senators and Delegates, the heavy EM latching mechanisms locked the doors tightly (not even a satchel charge could open the doors now). The Consul took his position at his podium, calling for order and for all present to be seated.

"Today is a momentous day, the day when we crown the second Imperator of the Modern Era," the Consul began as she drew forth the Imperial Will. "In my hand is the second-to-last edict of the Imperator, the Imperial Will. This document shall dictate to whom the Imperator's assets shall go to and to which heir the throne shall go. Will the Imperator's children please stand?" The three heirs stood, their silver crowns shining brilliantly in the piped-in natural lighting of the room.

"All of my money shall go to the NHSI Charity for Disabled Workers, and my belongings shall be donated to the Imperial Museum within the New Freeport Citadel," The Consul thundered, her voice amplified by the sound system the chambers contained. "To my son, Robert, you shall be..." The Consule reread the paragraph, checking to make sure it was correct. Robert motioned for the Consul to continue, knowing that the next lines would be confirming his ascendancy to the throne. "...exiled to the Orion Colony and given the position of Assistant Governor. You have disgraced the Imperial Line by embezzling money from the Imperial Treasury, using it to acquire whores and drugs. You will maintain your rank in the military, but you shall command no troops for a period of fifteen years, or until the new leadership decides otherwise. By Imperial Decree, Robert will be removed from the chambers at once."

Robert, the exiled heir to the throne, was picked up by Praetorian Guardsmen and removed from the chamber, the door locking shut behind him. "On the business of whom will assume the throne," The Consul thundered. "In the ancient times, when the Western Islander Empire reigned on Earth, it was customary for those born together as twins to be given the throne together, as it would ensure that both heirs, born essentially as one, would rule as one. By the authority of Imperator James the First and the Constitution of New Haven, Ashley and Sara of the Newman Line are the new Imperators of New Haven!" Cheers rose from the audience as both women approached the podium, the Consul moving herself in front, her aides handing her two gold crowns. The Consul looked down at the two women, who kneeled and tilted their heads down. "Do you, Ashley the First, and do you, Sara the First, swear to uphold the Constitution and defend it and your people from harm and subversion?"

"We swear to uphold the Constitution and to defend it and our people from harm and subversion," Ashley and Sara replied sternly.

"Then by the power granted upon me by your father, Imperator James the First, you are both crowned as Co-Imperators of The Imperium of New Haven. May your reigns be long and prosperous. God save the Imperium!"

"God save the Imperium!" The Senators exclaimed.