HNN - Lord Regent Holiday Address
Category: HNN Broadcasted on 22. December 2008 - 12:59:05hrs Author HNN News Reporter Comments: 0
The emblem of the Hapan News Network appears on screen along with the familiar tune associated with the evening news before being replaced by the image of the lovely Anacia Chalcedon. She is elegantly dressed, sitting in front of the live image of the Castle of Per’Agthra frozen by the winter winds and snow descending upon the Hapan capital of Chume’Dan. She smiles before she begins to speak.
“Good evening! With billions of Hapans enjoying their break from the daily stress of work, duties and chores, the festive mood and good spirits is on the rise. The end of 4035 is rapidly approaching and the northern hemisphere of Hapes Prime is enjoying the most prominent winter weather in nearly a century. Not since the last decade of the reign of Queen-Mother Pal’durath VII has so much snow fallen on the capital. Most local residents say it only adds to their enjoyment of the holidays.
The Hapan News Network will now go live to the office of the Lord Regent inside Lorell Hall for Lord Regent Alexander Tylger’s first holiday address to the peoples of the Consortium!”
The image fades and is soon replaced by that of the Lord Regent sitting in a large leather chair in front of an enormous fireplace inside a lavishly decorated office within the government halls of Hapes. The noble is dressed in full white and silver Royal Court uniform with golden epaulettes, a purple sash and an assortment of medals and aristocratic ornaments. In his artificial right hand he holds a cigar while a glass of cognac rests on a small table next to him.
“My fellow Hapans, citizens of the Consortium, subjects of the Throne. On behalf of His Majesty King James, myself and the Royal Council, I wish you all a pleasant holiday season and a happy new year. As the end of the year approaches and you all enjoy a much deserved hiatus from your daily chores, we hope you take this opportunity to spend some quality time with friends, family and members of your local community; Exchange gifts, enjoy good home cooked meals and savour local brews and drinks. This is a time for us to reflect upon the prosperity of our state, the welfare of our citizens, and the stability in our region of the Galaxy while also considering what lies ahead for the Consortium in the coming months and years. As this is my first address of this sort, I will start by reflecting back a bit further than this past year.
Around this time of the year, ninety years ago, the entire Hapes Cluster held its breath as Queen-Mother Pal’durath VII lay in a coma, her condition worsening with every passing day. As winter storms descended on Ta’a Chume’Dan, the Fountain Palace and Lorell Hall became ever more heated with anger and hate as her two daughters rallied officials, nobles, worlds and starsystems to their side in the coming struggle for control of the Throne. The two young girls plunged the Consortium in to a brutal civil war which would last for half a century resulting in the loss of billion of lives, leaving countless homeless and struck with poverty. Our generation and coming generations are fortunate. Thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of many good men and women, the Hapes Cluster has enjoyed peace, stability, prosperity and unparalleled wealth over the last three and a half decades. We can sleep soundly in our beds every night knowing no harm will come to our families, that we can put food on the table every day and that we can care for those we love the most.”
The Lord Regent puffs his cigar a few times, sending rings of smoke floating through the air and in to the fireplace. He takes a small sip of his drink before continuing.
“The last thirty-five years we have seen the stable reigns of two competent and benevolent monarchs who have always kept the best interests of the people in mind while driving the Consortium forward. The occasional crisis never deterred them from doing what is right and ensuring Hapan sovereignty. We have seen the rebuilding of the Royal Hapan Armed Forces, the establishment of a firmer and more productive government structure, the appointment of regional governors, and a massive effort in the rebuilding of our star cluster’s infrastructure was undertaken.
Seven Prime Ministers have come and gone, each leaving their distinctive mark on the customs and procedures of government, from my own conservative term on the job, to the jovial Lord Choibacco Antaria, on to the innovative Lord Zell Jaak and then finally the administrating Lord Gane Lant. Precious friends and co-workers have come and gone, some seeking a new life outside the Cluster, some enjoying well deserved retirements on Hapan worlds, some unfortunately disappearing without trace. In these times we fondly remember these individuals who helped make the Consortium a remarkable place to serve and work, such as Lord Antaria, Lord Smith, Lord Rainey, Lord Jaak, Mors Baynos, Lord Amethius, Aviana Badara, Ariath Windcloud, Celestin Abriel, Tony Lake and many more.
In the last year we have seen a changing of the guard in many branches and divisions of the Consortium, with many new or returning additions to the Royal Council and military command. We saw the retirement of Lord Regent Jaak, the fiftieth return of Lord Tyrridon and the rise of many prominent and civil servants in to the most esteemed chambers of government, not to mention another – seemingly successful – restructuring of the armed forces. We have embarked upon prosperous projects in co-operation with our friends within the Imperial Union, including the creation of a Union capital on Scylla, and welcomed the Trade Federation into the fold.”
The aristocrat turns his head, gazing in to the fireplace for a few seconds before facing the camera again, his expression appearing more grave.
“In the coming year, the Consortium will face many challenges, both domestic and foreign. We have noticed all too often that the Galactic Civil War threatens to spill over our borders, despite our adherence to peaceful and diplomatic action. The rebellious forces that wreak havoc on the Outer Rim, promoting unstable government in the form of ‘democracy’ and anarchy, are all too eager to inflict damage and hurt upon the Consortium as punishment for our participation in the Imperial Union. We see that those flying high the banners of ‘freedom’ and ‘liberty’ have no restrictions in attempting to dictate who the Consortium may associate and do business with while they defy Hapan laws and infringe on our sovereign territory. It would seem they will not be satisfied until chaos reigns supreme across known space and all ideas of order and stability have been annihilated. In response to this, my office will be working in close co-operation with the Ministry of External Affairs in outlining a new foreign policy doctrine which will make clear the stance of the Hapes Consortium and the consequences of threatening the security of our space and citizens.
In the fields of economics and finance, our experts will work ever more closely with the Ministry of Finance in ensuring economic stability. Prices and wages have long been rising at a rapid rate as citizens across the Core and Mid-Rim enjoy ever higher standard of living. In order to prevent rapid inflation and a galactic economy out of control, we will do our part in stabilising the economy by regulating prices and wages, and also the market through middlemen backed by the Hapan state.
After the completion of such major projects as Haradan and Scylla, we will focus on smaller domestic projects that will increase prosperity and security in all corners of the Hapes Cluster. Long gone are the days of fringe worlds where Hapans live in relative poverty, struggling against the elements without access to basic facilities. Careful renovations and restorations of our historical cities will continue and new military citadels will be established in all regions of the Cluster. This will be our foremost priority in the coming year.”
Smiling, he puffs his cigar again before blowing away the smoke.
“We hope that this promise of further peace and stability will add to your enjoyment of the holidays and give strong hopes for the coming year where we will rely on the personal effort and devotion of all Hapan citizens to reach our goals.
From the chambers of Lorell Hall: Happy holidays and a happy new year!”
The image of the Lord Regent fades out to the light tune of the HNN before the cut to commercial break.
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