NationStates Jolt Archive

Orion News Network

(Corporate Cathedral, Bivens) – As the clock struck noon today, billions of people across the Orion Sector witnessed a government unveiling that is unmatched in recent history. Lead by Commander in Chief General Jack Valkare, the current Imperial government has come under pressure in recent months regarding its similarities to the regime which it ousted less than six years ago. Yesterday, Emperor Dave Bivens signed into law a new decree, which effectively changes the Imperial flag for the first time in over a century, and changes the motto back to what it originally was when the Empire was first founded nearly a millennium ago.

Strangely enough, the new flag has at its center the symbol for the New Imperial Military, which General Valkare is the head of. The wolf’s head, surrounded by a band which says “Steel Empire,” which is then surrounded by a gear and then encased in a circle, has been the prominent military symbol since the Civil War ended, and is even rumored to be the personal symbol of General Valkare himself. The symbol is surrounded by black. This flag replaces the common flag of over a hundred years, with a butterfly outstretched on a burgundy background and “Steel Butterfly” written across it in Russian. The old flag was established by Emperor Kyou Graav as he took power.

http://67.18.37.15/237/117/upload/p696110.jpg http://67.18.37.15/237/117/upload/p696111.png
Old and New

The new motto, “Strength and Honor,” can only be a homage to the legendary first Emperor, and hero of the Machina Wars, of a thousand years ago, James Foxx. Though it has fallen out of favor in place of “Only In Death Does Duty End,” which it now replaces, it has remained common among military people and organizations.

Both of these moves have received mixed reactions from the public so far. Many favor the stylish flag and the prideful motto, and see them as definite ways to truly bring the Empire together after the ill-effects of the Civil War. Emperor Bivens himself is quoted as saying, “I have come to realize that General Valkare is correct. This is not the Empire of our fathers, or even our grandfathers. The Steel Empire, and all of Orion, will strive to regain and surpass its former glory as it races towards a new age of success and prosperity.”

However, there are a few who have shown concern for the Spartan turn the Empire has made. “The military is only good for one thing,” a local mayor*, who chose to remain anonymous, told the press.** “And that is war. The Empire needs peace in order to rebuild.”

Another man, Bob Johnson, was quoted as saying, “This is bullshit! That flag and motto are as much a part our culture as anything else. This regime is trying to destroy the Empire!” Mr. Johnson was unable to be contacted for a follow-up quote.***

Nevertheless, many are embracing the changes Sector-wide as something to have pride in for themselves. “This is not the corrupt Empire my son fought against,” Loran Stalteri said, smiling as a tear rolled down her cheek. “I can’t explain how glad I am that his death has meaning behind it. He died so that all of us can live better lives under Emperor Bivens.”

Outside the Corporate Cathedral on the planet of Bivens, one thing is clear. A new dawn for the Empire is beginning.

[OOC: For information regarding the Civil War, check the archives. The war itself is spread out through three threads.

* - Mayor, as well as any public official in the Empire, is not an elected, but instead an appointed, position. While expressing opinions contrary to the Emperor’s is not illegal, it would not do well for the Mayor’s career.

** - The press, in the Empire, is a public company that is indirectly controlled by the government. They are free to write anything they wish, as long as they adhere to the strict government standards and requirements set before them.

*** - While expressing opinions contrary to the Emperor’s or the Empire’s is not illegal, strong and public criticism of the Empire most definitely is. There are private methods of complaining and critique, but truly a vast majority of the people favor the Empire, which has stood for over a thousand years, over a more democratic form of government for its efficiency and strength. There are, however, a small number of dissenters, who are usually exiled from the sector and forbidden to return as punishment.]

[OOC: Feel free to post responses by your goverments or other groups if they are relevent. This isn't really "big" news, per se, however it has its fair share of foreshadowing that wouldn't be too hard for a foreign leader to pick up on.]

Bump :(

As turned the broadcast off, Dodalla crossed her arms in thought, as she pondered the importance of the broadcast, after all as Tappee’s ambassador to Steel Butterfly it was her job. However, this change held a bit more of significance to her then perhaps others.

During Steel Butterfly’s civil war, the government of Tappee had fought with rebels from the beginning and all the way to fall of the planets of Steel Butterfly, and Steel Moon, helping to bring the current administration to power. However, back in those day Dodalla had not been stucking sitting behind some desk playing diplomat, back then she was Fleet Admiral Dodalla and commanded the Tappee force that had fought and died to cut the corruption that once act the same as a cancerous tumor.

She couldn’t help to realize how had had chanced since those days, the battles they fought were now not so easy.

Taking a moment she thought of a response. Her hands flowed over the keypad

From: Government of Tappee (Steel Butterfly Embassy)
To: Government of Steel Butterfly
Subject: Flag and Motto change
Message:

Following the announcement in regards to your government decision to change both your flag as well as your national motto, we would like to extend our congratulations.

It is our most sincerest hope that this step in setting the new administration apart from the old regime that so many were sacrificed in defeating. We feel that this will help rest the old ghost of the past

Signed

Ambassador
Emily Doddalla

Ever since the fall out between the Order and Steel Empire in the aftermath of their civil war, relations between the Sketch and Steel Butterfly were strained to the point of non-existence. There was a fundamental difference in views between the two states, that being the legitamacy of of the current Steel Empire leadership. Although now long in the past, with Sketch having finally accepted the new Bivens regime officially, the past was not so easily forgotten by the Steel leadership. Several unpleasant exchanges and staunch support of the previous sovereign, Emperor Nemerov, now long dead, have made things awkward. Past diplomatic attempts have revealed that Emperor Bivens still maintained a distaste for Sketch and the Order.

Even though official relations have been left to languish, Sketch still maintained unofficial tabs on the empire, as surely as the empire would also have done. The old emperor may have been ousted from the seat of power, but all that truly changed was the name of the ruler. An empire, once established, continues to be an empire, regardless of the internal changes and the faces it shows to the outside world. The civil war was a means of cleaning house, an unpleasant, but necessary revitalization of a corrupting system.

An old system but a new face. While not friendly, the empire would still be the same professional state as it used to be. There may be official distaste now, but the state will eventually get over it. No empire ever survived with maintaining steady relations with the outside world, no matter how unpleasant.

A few days after the broadcast, General Valkare would receive a message from Sketch, delivered through unofficial channels. Lacking the guises of diplomatic commuications, it would state in quite simple terms that the Order was in possession of a large number of Steel Butterfly nationals captured from the subjucation of the Mercury Alpha base. There would be an inquiry as to where the Steel Empire would like their citizens delivered with the accompaniment of files detailing the investigations team's findings.