HNN - Royal Address
Category: Breaking Broadcasted on 27.Oct.2013 - 23:20hrs Author Anacia Chalcedon Comments: 0
The introductory sequence of the Hapan News Network begins with images of the Consortium's worlds flashing across the screen accompanied by the uplifting theme melody. As the segment comes to an end, Anacia Chalcedon appears on screen before the familiar backdrop of the Castle of Per'Agthra. She smiles before addressing the viewers.
"Good evening, Hapes!
Today journalists from all corners of the Hapes Cluster are gathered in the capital city Chume'Dan at the request of Fountain Palace officials for a special session of Lorell Hall. While details have been sparse, it has been confirmed that the King is due to address the peoples of the Consortium on a matter of great importance. Representatives, public officials, and nobility from all the Consortium member worlds are already in attendance in the Grand Council chamber, awaiting the arrival of the members of the Royal Council.
Speculations abound as the Fountain Palace has been unwilling to discuss the matter of His Majesty's reported illness which has kept him largely out of the public eye over the last year. While he made brief public appearances during the reunification anniversary this summer, and has also been present for sessions of the Royal Council and Council of Lords, the King's last public address was one year ago in relation to the disbandment of the old Imperial Union.
We are receiving word that the King's arrival is imminent, so we now go live to Lorell Hall."
The image shifts briefly from Chalcedon to an announcement screen before cutting to the image of the central podium of the Grand Council chamber.
The six senior members of the Royal Council, Fel'das Lant, Kadrim, Locke, Crawford, Tay, and Vacosa, and the royal advisor, Jessica Pelin'a James, move in procession to take their seats on either side of the podium.
After all are seated, a brief moment passes before a dugglehorn sounds the arrival of the King. Alexander Rai'ix Chume, clad in his black ceremonial court uniform, enters the chamber flanked by four senior members of the Chume'doro Favoured, including Tara Pelin'a Tylger. The King moves briskly up to the central podium while his daughter moves to take her seat among the Royal Council members. Tylger studies his notes for a brief moment before looking up and smiling at the assembled dignitaries.
"Your Highnesses. Your Excellencies. Your Honours. Duly appointed representatives. Peoples of the Hapes Consortium. Saroon basgim. We welcome you all back to Hapes Prime for this special session of Lorell Hall.
Three weeks ago, We requested the presence of Gane Tarix Chume Lant and Fel'da Zayth Tarix Kadrim in the Fountain Palace for a meeting of grave importance. At that gathering the topic of Our abdication and potential successors was discussed. We called on them as they are the two most senior members of both the Royal Council and Council of Lords, and therefore most aptly suited to debate the matter objectively and candidly.
The matter of abdication had been something weighing on Our mind for quite some time now, in part due to Our prolonged and involuntary absence from the affairs of state. We have felt that for the sake of the Hapes Consortium and the integrity of the Crown, it is best that We abdicate the Throne in favour of a successor whose health and spirit allows them to commit fully to the responsibilities associated with the title and position. Rest assured that this was not a decision taken easily or lightly without thorough consideration, and all viable alternatives were discussed in full.
In concert with Tarix Chume Lant and Fel'da Kadrim, a plan was drawn up for how the matter of succession would be carried out in a timely manner so that the process would not be prolonged unnecessarily. We have also been presented with a prospect for the initial stages as well as long term goals of Our successor's reign that meets with Our approval and shows great promise in terms of maximizing the efficiency of the Hapes Consortium upper echelons.
On the evening of the tenth, We presented the members of the Royal Council with our formal Declaration of Abdication, which We will read to you now."
The King retrieves a piece of flimsiplast from amidst his stack of document and begins his narration.
"'Declaration of Abdication.
I, Alexander Rai'ix Chume Tylger Pal'durath Hapesah, of the Hapes Consortium, the Hapan Dominions beyond the Hapes Cluster, King, do hereby declare my irrevocable determination to renounce the Throne for myself. My desire is that effect should be given to this Declaration of Abdication on the twenty-ninth day of Prenodii, forty forty, at zero hundred hours, at which point Zayth Tarix Kadrim Ediorungah shall formally assume the title of Rai'ix Chume.
In token whereof I have hereunto set my hand this tenth day of Prenodii, forty forty, in the presence of the witnesses whose signatures are subscribed.
Signed at the Fountain Palace, Chume'Dan, Hapes Prime in the presence of:
Gane Tarix Chume Lant
Zayth Tarix Kadrim
Tara Pelin'a Tylger
Danara Vilicus Bajetix'"
Tylger sets the document back down on the podium and allows for the murmurs of the crowd to die down before continuing.
"The choice of Tarix Kadrim as Our successor may be surprising to some, given that Tarix Lant holds the position of Tarix Chume and has managed the affairs of state in my absence. However, the title and its authority has never been a guarantee for being named the heir apparent. Furthermore, Tarix Lant did not wish to be considered a candidate for the Crown, and expressed at the onset of this process that he intends to step down from his positions in the near future to enjoy retirement as the Grand Duke of Gallinore. Even so, he will continue on as Tarix Chume during this transition period and until such time as the planned reorganisation of the Royal Council is complete.
For the time being, We will retire to our native home on Arxian for a period of relaxation until We are called upon to serve the Crown in some capacity. We are likely to resume Our scholarly work on the history and culture of the Consortium, while also serving as a royal advisor in the foreseeable future. In terms of Our titles and estates post-abdication, that is a matter that shall be left to Our successor to best decide.
At this point, We want to thank the peoples of the Hapes Consortium for their loyalty and fealty during Our reign. We would like to thank the members of the Royal Council, Council of Lords, and the Royal Hapan Armed Forces High Command for their efforts over the course of Our reign. We have also had the pleasure and fortune of working closely with many others on a variety of projects, both big and small, and your service to the Consortium has been much appreciated.
We would like to congratulate Zayth Tarix Kadrim on his imminent ascension to the Throne, and thank him for his personal loyalty to Us over the course of Our reign. We hope that he will tackle the responsibilities of his new title with the same fiery devotion and spirit that has marked his time in Lorell Hall for the past nine years.
This is a nation of proud and honourable traditions, with a long line of monarchs that the person on the Throne can look to for examples of how to rule. One can learn from the mistakes of the tyrants, and embrace the qualities of the benevolent. Regardless of in what century they reigned, what has always been the most important is putting the welfare of the Hapes Consortium and its people first. The person on the Throne is but a prism symbol of unity. That is what has kept the Crown of the Consortium sacred and this nation bonded for millennia, and will continue to do so for millennia more.
Finally, We would like to say that it has been an honour to serve the people as Rai'ix Chume, and thank you for your faith in Our leadership. We hope that the Hapes Consortium has a prosperous future ahead, marked by co-operation, revitalisation and progress.
Good fortune to you all! Long live the Hapes Consortium!"
As the King steps down from the podium, the image cuts to a fact sheet while Chalcedon speaks in the background.
"We will be taking a short break, but when we come back we will have a debate with several political analysts regarding the King's speech and abdication. Please stay tuned!"
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