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The Empire Strikes Back - Part 3

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Nestorius was still anxious regarding what he had asked his Majesty the ultimate question last month. He tried to cast his anxiety behind himself as he heard the good news.

"We have proven ourselves to the world! We have shown them that we are not weak like the Western Empire of old! We have only grown stronger and more united as a result! Now, while I do agree with my fellow senators that something should be done about the rebellious western rebels, I also believe we should pause for a moment and regain our energy. It has been a tough period for the Empire, and the more energetic we are, the faster we shall defeat the rebels."
 
Damian0358 said:
Nestorius was still anxious regarding what he had asked his Majesty the ultimate question last month. He tried to cast his anxiety behind himself as he heard the good news.

"We have proven ourselves to the world! We have shown them that we are not weak like the Western Empire of old! We have only grown stronger and more united as a result! Now, while I do agree with my fellow senators that something should be done about the rebellious western rebels, I also believe we should pause for a moment and regain our energy. It has been a tough period for the Empire, and the more energetic we are, the faster we shall defeat the rebels."
Click to expand...
"But remember that the longer we wait, the more time the rebels will have to gain energy. We must strike soon if we are to win, for as the days pass the rebels shall gain more and more support. In addition, our legions are already in fighting condition, so we do not need to demobilize and remobilize them."
 
While We desire to bring the western Empire back into the fold, it is not possible at this time. When the Northern Alliance signed their treaties, they claimed bullying by the Empire forced them to defend themselves. While both they and the Greater Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere started the wars, Our punishing the aggressors was itself seen as an aggressive move. Even many within the Empire feel that We were too harsh.
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Additionally, the people of the Empire are exhausted from war.
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A time of peace is what the Empire needs for now. This will give time for us to recover, rebuild, reorganize the legions, and repair relations throughout the world.

Senator Thaddas, at the last session you asked if you could remain governor of Aeteorea even after retiring from the Senate. Unfortunately, this cannot be so. Instead, We are instituting a policy of federation with Aeteorea. It will have complete autonomy over its internal affairs and be allowed some degree of autonomy with external diplomacy. We plan to make Kyrene the head of the local government. She has done phenomenal work at your side, and we believe that she is the perfect person to heal the wounds formed in recent years. We would ask that you serve as Our representative to Aeteorea. We hope that this change of plans is not too bitter a disappointment.
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Indeed, we are extending this policy of federalism to much of Southern Africa. South Africa will be reformed as a federal state instead of an independent one, as will Namibia, Angola, and Congo. Finally, the state of Kazembe will be handed over to Mutapa.
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With the end of the wars, and with these changes, We can finally provide the Senate with a new world map fit for this wonderfully rebuilt Great Palace.
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And We will provide a second that includes the federalized territories as part of the Empire.
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The world turns against us in several aggressive wars and they consider us the aggressive ones? I hope their nations collapse and their leaders burn in hell.

I shall eagerly await the reconquest of Italy, for I do understand that the people of the Empire are exhausted and need time recover. I pray the rebel states do not use the time to further legitimize themselves.

- Senator Donatello Favero
 
Nestorius nodded to the news of peace, but when news of Aeteorea's autonomy arrived, he was, in a way, shocked. He wouldn't never expected Kyrene in such a position, but as soon as the shock wore off, he straightened his posture and spoke.

"I understand. It isn't a disappointment, it is a surprise! I would be honored to be Your representative to Aeteorea, possibly even after my retirement from the Senate?" he asked the question in a suggestive tone. He then straightened his posture once more, with eyes widened.

"If you'll excuse me, I should be bringing someone here," he said, as he speedwalked out of the Senate, towards the Thaddai estate.
 
((This thread seems to hate me, frequently ignoring my subscription, so Alexios has been absent from the Boule for three years it seems. Maybe he was on extended leave, performing classified work for the Government.))
 
Arakhor said:
((This thread seems to hate me, frequently ignoring my subscription, so Alexios has been absent from the Boule for three years it seems. Maybe he was on extended leave, performing classified work for the Government.))
Click to expand...

(( That's disappointing. Feel free to have him report on being a general or an admiral or an agent, if you like, then. It all makes sense. ))
 
Nestorius soon arrived at his family's estate. He attempted to open the front door, but he realized it was locked, so he rushed to grab his keys from his pockets and, after a few minutes of fumbling around with them, unlocked the door and entered. With his arrival, many heads popped up, checking to see who it was. Many were confused, as he should be at the senate. Soon, he found Kyrene, watching lil' Timon.

"Cyrene, you have to come with me quickly! You're needed at the Senate!" he told her.

"Wait, what?! Why would they need me?"

"You'll find out there!" he told her, as Franco checked to see what was going on, "Franco, my boy! Watch Timon while the two of us head to the senate," he told him, as Kyrene slowly stood up and motioned Nestorius to go.

Leaving Franco somewhat confused, and the rest curious, the two rushed out of the estate and headed towards the senate.

"Did they give you that post-senatorial governorship you suggested?" she asked.

"My lips are sealed until we arrive."

Soon, the two arrived at the senate, as Nestorius lead her to where the session was being held.

"Here is the woman of the hour!" he said, as he presented Kyrene in front of the senators and His Majesty. It was obvious to everyone in the room that she had no idea what was going on yet.
 
Ah, Kyrene Thaddas! We have determined to institute a policy of federation with Aeteorea. An Aeteorean government will be created that has complete autonomy over its internal affairs and be allowed some degree of autonomy with external diplomacy. Due to your excellent work with Nestorius, We desire you to head and create this government. As well We believe that you are the perfect person bring healing to the Aeteorean people.

If you accept, then the form of the government would be determined by you and your staff, and you would also determine how to handle the crimes committed against the Aeteorean people. We would recommend some kind of commission that would enable people to air the truth of events and bring reconciliation where possible, only trying in the courts the worst offenders. But you and the government you create would have the power to do otherwise if you believe it would be better for Aeteorea.

Your husband would be the representative from both Us and the Senate for as long as he believes he is able to do so, even after he retires from the Senate.

Do you accept this position?
 
The Empire has been humbled, yes, but never shall it fall! I await the day we regrow our strength enough to retake the land stolen from us fby idiotic radicals with no common sense. I am glad we were able to fend off a world coalition but I say we must arm and militarize to the point that a world coalition would not dare to look us in the eye! We were stabbed in the back by the revolts, we should hang or shoot all the rebels and launch subversive attempts in former Roman provinces to bring them back into the fold. Eventually, I am sure we will restore law and order in those rebellious provinces by pacifying them. We call ourselves Roman yet we do not even own Rome! ((I believe I am an extremely jingoistic and nationalist Roman who supports the movement of the country forward as one but since I'm a noble, I despise fascism for its populism))
-Manuel III
 
There is some shuffling and banging outside the hall where the Boule sits and then a man in the hooded robes of an Orthodox monk enters the chamber, followed by several Palace servants carrying a roll of white cloth and various mechanical devices. The servants quickly set up these devices, a large metal tripod with some sort of camera upon it, a short metal stool with a gramophone upon it, a large power supply and a collapsible metal trellis with hooks at the top, upon which the servants hang the white cloth to create a self-standing fabric wall of a few square feet.

After the servants then set up a standing lamp close to the Imperial throne for the Emperor's comfort, the monk nods to the servants and all the lights in the hall are extinguished, save for the lamp by the throne. However, amidst the resulting gloom and the whirring of the bulky power supply beside the camera/tripod, a series of grainy black and white moving images are projected onto the cloth wall, interspersed with title-cards briefly explaining what was going to appear next. The short clips include the Baslieus and Basilissa attending a function in the Great Palace, the spectacular Pantokrator mosaic on the roof of the Hagia Sophia, the Patriarch of Constantinople giving his Easter address to the assembled crowds in the City, Imperial soldiers being greeted by cheering civilians as another town is reclaimed from the enemy, young children learning to read and write in Greek in a classroom in the Neapolitan foothills and so on. Meanwhile, the gramophone, which started with a brief snatch of the Imperial anthem, is playing a recording of someone narrating these various film clips.

After the few minutes of film and narration have come to an end with a stirring rendition of "One God, one Emperor, one people!", the lights come back on, but the monk appears to have disappeared, with Alexios Angelos in his place, looking somewhat greyer than the last time he attended the Boule three years ago.

"Please pardon the deception," says Alexios, immediately revealing the identity of the recorded narrator, "but you may note only barbarians would attack a man of God and I am pleased to say that we have very few of those left in the world. A distressing number still, certainly, but much fewer than before. As part of my remit in the Ministry of Education, I was asked to bolster the war effort, improve public morale and help in extending Imperial culture even to our farthest-flung domains. I have been travelling said domains for the last three years and, with the wonders of modern technology that you have just experienced, I have helped bring a little piece of the Queen of Cities to every true Roman out there, whether or not he has (or will) ever set foot in the City.

"Are there any questions?"
 
"Alexios," said Theodora, "Thank you for the film - far more inspiring and of higher quality than the one that was shown when I first appeared at the Senate at the beginning of the war, of course. It should help our people unite against the barbarians and rebel scum that threaten our empire! With such films propagated throughout the Empire, there is nothing that can divide us further! Now, as Minister of Security I have been asked to boost the power of the security forces of the Empire to help the war effort, and I have done just that, assuring the people that they are safe from attacks by rebel scum and that the Empire will prevail over those who seek to destroy it. Long live the Emperor! Long live the Roman people! God save the Emperor! For Emperor and Empire! For the Senate and the people of Rome!"

((It appears that my characters' ideologies are slowly becoming a strange mix of fascism, liberalism, and socialism, though they are still officially liberal.))
 
((Hello Again. I haven't been able to go on this post because of some problems with life, and they may not have even be resolved, but of now, Let Julius kick some ass again, shall we?))
A tall dapper chap is climbing up the stairs, whistling to himself. He opens the door, and merrily skips along to the meeting room.
"For Emperor and Empire! For the Senate and people of Rome!"
"It appears that Doukas has become somewhat of a fascist socialist liberal. Maybe she needs a grape."

"Good evening, fellow romans! What have I missed out on?"
 
Kyrene looked at Her Majesty in shock! A mother with a child, taking on even more children? She sat down for a moment, unsure how to take this revelation. She looked at Nestorius, who seemed ecstatic over the news. She looked him in the eyes, as unsure thoughts filled her mind. Nestorius, noticing her view, looked right back into her eyes, before giving her a nod. She gave him a little smile before nodding herself. She got up and spoke.

"Your Majesty, I am extremely humbled to receive this opportunity. I am honored to head this new era in the history of my home islands!" she said, and as soon as she finished, Nestorius swooped in and hugged her, before giving her a big kiss on the cheek.

At this point, the disguised Alexios arrived and showed his film to the others. After Theodora spoke and Julius arrived, Kyrene spoke once more;

"That was a well made production! Surely, anyone would feel the nature of Romanitas flow through them!"
 
"Hey Doukas, have a grape." *throws grape at Doukas*
"Wha-"
"You sound like a fascist when your hungry. Better?"
 
Alexios smiles graciously and politely dips his head to Theodora and Kyrene, then, under cover of his servants clearing away his machines and other paraphernalia, he returns to his sadly neglected seat in the stalls.
 
*Julius notices Alexios*
Aw, cheer up friend! The empire is going to be in fine fettle! And don't worry about being missing for a while. Happens to me all the time! ...As much as I wish it wouldn't happen..... but this time I had a very special occasion *grins*
 
Sir Dippingsauce said:
((Hello Again. I haven't been able to go on this post because of some problems with life, and they may not have even be resolved, but of now, Let Julius kick some ass again, shall we?))
A tall dapper chap is climbing up the stairs, whistling to himself. He opens the door, and merrily skips along to the meeting room.
"For Emperor and Empire! For the Senate and people of Rome!"
"It appears that Doukas has become somewhat of a fascist socialist liberal. Maybe she needs a grape."

"Good evening, fellow romans! What have I missed out on?"
Click to expand...
Sir Dippingsauce said:
"Hey Doukas, have a grape." *throws grape at Doukas*
"Wha-"
"You sound like a fascist when your hungry. Better?"
Click to expand...
The grape hit Theodora right in the face. "Why, that's no way to address a lady, much less the Ministry of Security and a Doukai!" she exclaimed. "And no, I am not a fascist, just trying to share in the national spirit!"
 
*Julius raises an eyebrow*
"Sharing the national spirt? Fair enough. But from what you were saying sounded awfully like that fool Palaigios from a while back."
 
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(( Sorry for the lack of updates, everyone. I started a new job two weeks ago, just as my wife got rather ill, so I haven't had any spare time to play games, let alone write AARs. Hopefully I'll find some time in the future.

But I also expect I'll aim for slower updates, if only to make sure the HoI4 converter is in good shape once I get to 1936. :cool: ))
 
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