Special Announcement:
Hapes wishes Ian Stewart a
Happy Birthday
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Special Announcement:
Hapes wishes Dirk Endow a
Happy Birthday
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 | | Chume'doro Commander Appointed
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With the Rai’ix Chume’s coronation ceremony only days away, preparations have been underway to prepare the Royal Court and the Fountain Palace for his arrival.
Atlas Troop Transport Shuttles arrived in Chume’Dan’s palace complex today carrying soldiers from the old Draconian Guard units from Arxian, the new King’s home system. Coming changes to the Royal Guard were announced a few weeks back and it has now become clear that the old Phoenix Guard will be largely absorbed in the Draconian Guard, which has taken the name “Chume’doro”, a name dating back to Age of Queen-Mothers.
The Phoenix Guard was originally created as the new Royal Guard upon King Andrew’s coronation in 4000 when he took the name “the Phoenix King”, and was made up primarily of veterans of the Phoenix Movement’s military that emerged victorious in the Hapan Civil War. The Draconian Guard, on the other hand, has been in existence since 3946 when it was formed to protect Princess Da’tan of the Pal’durath dynasty and the Tarii nobles of the Draconian Union. Since that time, it has been made up of elite soldiers from Arxian Minor and Major, and later also Selab. The Fountain Palace has announced that despite the Phoenix Guard and Draconian Guard merging, a division within the Chume’doro entitled “Phoenix Guard” will still be assigned to protect King James of Rii.
Furthermore, it has been announced that the Rai’ix Chume’s daughter, Princess Tara Tylger, will be the new commanding officer of the Chume’doro. One of the six Tetrarchs of House Tylger, the Princess has had a long career devoted to security and defense. Her career started in the New Anzat Order where she was the commanding officer of the Anzati naval forces, followed by a career with Black Sun as bodyguard to two of the syndicate’s leaders before her own eventual rise to leadership. After a brief disappearance from the public eye four years ago, she reemerged as the leader and owner of a prestigious security and mercenary organization known as the Damned, which eventually disbanded last year. Prior to becoming part of the Hapes, the Princess had varying degrees of involvement with the Consortium, owning Endara Reclaim Indsturies for a number of years, supplying specialized weaponry for the Royal Hapan Armed Forces from Centurion Arms and being awarded the Medal of Thanks by King James for her aide in capturing a Hapan traitor on Nal Hutta during her stint as leader of the Black Sun syndicate.
The new Chume’doro will have two primary divisions: The first is the Elite Guard consisting of ground forces tasked with the security in Chume’Dan, the Fountain Palace, and onboard the HRS Pal’durath. The other is the Naval Guard, a small task force of naval warships tasked with escorting the HRS Pal’durath on its journeys. So far only the Rai’ix Chume’s old Battle Dragon Xil Xaliah (Star of Blood) has been selected for the task force.
In a private ceremony held in the giant courtyard of the Fountain Palace after their arrival, the new Chume’doro gave the traditional induction oath in the presence of the new King: "Ereneda! You have no equal, and I have no life beyond you. My eyes, my hands, my heart, and my blade will kill and die in your service."
The Fountain Palace has informed the press that while the Chume’doro will be tasked primarily with the security of the Royal Court, they may also be deployed to high priority combat operations both within and outside the Hapes Cluster as the need arises.
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Posted on the 03. March 2010 - 16:39:38 by HNN News Reporter
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 | | Omfg who killed the cronjobs...
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| Ladies.. Gents..
It seems those neat little posts with who graduated are gone, also the old messages in the comunit are not being deleted, haven't seen a message from the MoF in ages about updating info fields... yes, indeed, it appears the CronJobs are DEAD! For those that don't know what a CronJob is, it is a file that runs automatically every X day.
Do not fear my hapan citizens, your mightly retired King has found the dirty little bug that was preventing them from running and has, to his knowledge, fixed them. You should see those nice little auto functions running again over the next few weeks.
And now, back to the bar for me, my beer is waiting!! |
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Posted on the 27. Febuary 2010 - 13:18:14 by King Jessy James
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| | Retirement...
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| To all Hapans!
For the last few months a heavy weight has been on my shoulders, the weight of retirement.
I have been a member of the SWCombine for over 11 years now (even longer if you add the SWSim days), I have been King for almost 10 years. When I started in Hapes we had three Nova Cruisers and a CR90. I remember programming the first homepage for Hapes, I installed the first message board, I was there when we built our first city slab and our first space station. I have served with some of the best people in this game and am damn proud to have done so!
Hapes has always been a driving nation, that has always been the way I conducted business. Hapes was not gifted with all the cards up our sleeves, when we were formed we had pretty much nothing. Starting with an aggressive recruiting drive and advertisement to front line construction of everything we could get our hands on. I remember when shipbuilding was introduced, Olanji constructed around 50 shipyards. At the time admin told me it was more shipyards than the entire galaxy had combined! It has been an uphill fight, but one that we have won time and time again.
Our membership grew from 10 to over 100, our ships went from 3 to 3000, our community came together, our homepage was years ahead of anyone else's. I programmed the Battle Sim in a few days, putting together a basic code with full combine combat, something the combine has not managed till today! Hapes was on the front line with all major cmgs in tax planet construction, we were even the Galactic Government for several months, simply untouchable!
I also enjoyed several major events IC. The Black Sun Crises, the Dellalt Conflict, Operation Horizon, Gormoth and Haradan. Hapes started strong, we stayed strong and we finish strong, no matter what comes our way, no matter what challenges we face.
I have been lucky and have always had a very senior high command, these loyal Hapans have stayed with me as the years went on. I am confident in saying without them, I would have been half the King I was. I would like to say a special thanks to all of them, in no particular order:
Zell Jaak for being my friend, and my guide in hard times
Alex Smith for all his assistance in shaping anything he got his hands on
Zayth Kadrim for his inhuman work on intelligence and insight behind the scenes
Dortan Amethius for his amazing managing skills and hard work
Andrew Starfyre for being a role model in the early days
Alex Tylger for his ongoing hardship and loyalty
Vang Tyridon for his steady re-evaluations of our government structure and projects
Sirius Threestars for his loyalty and making me laugh
Steve "Falcon" Rainey for his tactical guidance and input
Hun Leonard for his hard work getting all our ships built
Tovakinpi Toshikhan for his amazing administrative skills and dedicated work on all projects
Gane Lant for his insane work behind the scenes
Locke Firecam for his years of service and friendship
Alley Trepe for her input in the RC and dedication to finance
Lionola Ayun for her friendship
Carrie Jade for her work on the Hapan Star
Romar Feren for his long term commitment to Hapes
Vetra Kurov for his hard work in the RC
Please forgive me if I missed someone, over time I have met so many good people! I have seen many of those come and go. Every single member of Hapes, from day 1 till today, all of you helped to shape what we have here today, and I thank you all for your hard work and dedication!
Times change, they always will. We all go through phases in our life that allow us to spend more and sometimes less time playing this game. Personally I feel I no longer have the time on a long term basis to keep striving our front line aggressive politics. I find myself battling to keep up with day to day topics. While I have no intention of leaving the game, I do feel it is time to pass on the torch to someone with a fresh approach, someone the royal council trusts, someone that has been with us long enough there is no question on their right to lead this group... Alex Tylger.
I will remain in Hapes and will retire with the honorary title of King to my system in Rii. I will stay on in the Royal Council as a royal advisor, and will take on some minor roles in the government. In our strive to be canon the new King will take on the title of "Rai'ix Chume", which is hapan for King.
The Crown Prince and I have been in close contact over the last few months. For the last month he has already been running the show, we have had several meetings and share almost all goals Hapes has set. You will notice almost nothing in the transition as it has already taken place.
I leave behind me a nation with three times more warships than we need, with a treasury filled with many billions of credits, a royal council that is a well oiled machine, a homepage that is steady and a leadership that will transition without any pain. A cluster that is more advanced in than half the galaxy, with tight defence networks, mines, shipyards, battle stations and more. A nation that is ready for a fresh wind, a nation ready to take on new goals and seek new adventures, a nation that is ready!
Alex Tylger, I hereby announce you Rai'ix Chume of Hapes. As my parting gift, I present you with Hapes second Super Star Destroyer HRS Pal'durath. The HRS Pal'durath just finished construction and awaits your command! May she serve you well, may she protect you in battle, may she keep the new ruler of Hapes forever safe!
Members of Hapes, I thank you for everything you have done, thanks for being part of this community and thanks for making my role as King such a happy time! Take good care of yourselves and your fellow Hapans, keep doing your part in making Hapes what it is! May my last words be "It's been a blast! Thank you everyone!"
Your King forever,
Jessy James |
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Posted on the 20. Febuary 2010 - 12:54:58 by King Jessy James
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| | Events in Brief
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Citizens residing in Chume’Dan and Haporium rejoiced this week as flocks of Bliz could be seen on rooftops, in gardens and in the trees around the cities. The tiny birds were clearly visible as their clear pink color sets them apart from most of the other birds native to the Hapan capital world.
The arrival of the migrating Bliz signals the onset of spring on the northern hemisphere of the planet and is a welcome sight to the local inhabitants. Blizcots have been set up in parks and the gardens of private homes to domesticate as many of the new arrivals as possible and collect fresh Bliz eggs that are considered a delicacy on most Hapan worlds.
“Our four year old daughter was very excited to see the Bliz arrive and we have set up a Blizcot in hopes of getting our own pet Bliz,” said one Haporium resident.
The Bliz is easily domesticated due to its habit of seeking out humans in search of the special bird house that is typically stocked with food and comfortable nesting grounds. Outside the cities, the Bliz is typically found on the grassy plains, in regions with thick foliage and on mountainous terrain.
The Royal Council has begun looking in to the possibility of demolishing or renovating large regions of Lorell’s surface, following complaints that the cities are no longer adequate for their inhabitants needs. Large portions of the ecumenopolis were built in the time following the Consortium opening its borders to the outside in 4024.
Following the Black Sun Crisis of 4029, the Consortium demolished and leveled large shantytowns that had been hastily built by the crime syndicate in order to make room for future construction. While some new construction was raised in the districts, much of the area remains abandoned and ripe for modern development.
It has been stated that the Hapan government seeks to turn Lorell in to a more modern planet divided in to major starports, commercial districts, industrial districts, residential districts, plus a dazzling capital district devoted to administrative functions.
In order to accomplish the objective, zones of Lorell will be demolished and rebuilt in phases in order to avoid disrupting the lives of the planet’s two billion residents. While Endara Reclaim Industries is going to be conducting a bulk of the work, the Royal Council is also considering outsourcing work to certain foreign companies to make the process go as swiftly as possible.
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Posted on the 16. Febuary 2010 - 20:47:29 by HNN News Reporter
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| | Events in Brief
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Lorell Hall announced a number of changes in the Royal Council today. Following the resignation of Bareck Justicar as the Fel’da of External Affairs last week, the King and Crown Prince sought nominations for successors from the other members of the council. While a number of individuals were nominated, the position was eventually given to Vang Tarix Tyrridon who has recently been serving the Throne as a Royal Advisor.
Additionally, seats on the Royal Council were also granted to Sirius Tarix Threestars and Ankthar LeMarre. Tarix Threestars, who ran the Ministry of External Affairs prior to Justicar, and has been appointed Fel’ta of External Affairs. Commodore LeMarre, serving as the Executive Officer of the Royal Hapan Armed Forces and de facto Fel’ta of Defence, will advise the Throne on military matters.
The Ministry of External Affairs will undergo certain evaluations and reforms to determine where the Consortium’s ambassadors can be most effective in spearheading a new wave of diplomatic contact with neutral governments and conglomerates in the Galaxy. Additionally, plans are underway to reform plots on Lorell’s northern hemisphere as exclusive embassy complexes for major foreign powers.
The Fountain Palace announced yesterday that it will be reforming elements of the Chume’doro (Hapan Royal Guard) to accommodate the new demands for security surrounding the Crown Prince. Guards will be chosen from the elite of the Royal Hapan Armed Forces, but it is rumoured that the ancient policy of retaining a ratio of 95% female soldiers within the unit will remain. The Palace has requested a number of vessels from the Ministry of Defence that will make up the core of the new Royal Armada.
While the name of the new commander for the Chume’doro has not yet been released, the Palace informs HNN that the announcement will take place in the coming weeks.
Numerous hyperlanes within the Interior Region were eerily silent this week, from the Dillaem Wall, through the Scoteian Mists and all the way to Queen-Mother’s Pearls, as Roqoo Depot is suffering from an ongoing workers strike. The space station, orbiting the star Roqoo, is the final refuelling depot on the Hapan spine at the eastern entrance to the Hapes Cluster. Refuelling workers have complained of long hours, bad pay and the unreliability of OAC shipments to the station. According to a spokesperson for the Royal Hapan Armed Forces, who maintain a vigilant watch on the critical security checkpoint, hundreds of vessels – largely cargo ships and passenger freighters – were stuck in the area due to the strike. While temporarily without fuel, most of the captains stuck at Roqoo were reportedly in good spirits and the L-500 Luxury Liner Xil Chume, in transit to Lorell from Vinsoth, arranged for passengers on smaller ships to board and make use of dining and recreational areas of the vessel.
News of the strike has spread to the outside Galaxy and numerous corporations operating in the field of shipping and logistics have since arrived at the scene with Modular Star Haulers and other capital ships, offering to transport smaller ships to the nearest operational refuelling station for hefty fees.
The Ministry of Finance has stated it cannot interfere in a legitimate strike, despite the issues it creates for vessels in transit, but has dispatched a civil servant who will mediate the conflict between the Hapan Transit Authority, the Fuel Guild and the Orelon Anthracite Corporation – the main supplier of anthracite fuel in that region of the Hapes Cluster.
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Posted on the 05. Febuary 2010 - 10:18:35 by HNN News Reporter
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| | HNN - New Prince receives his Crown
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| 
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 bathed in light from the aquatic moons Megos and Tegos and an impressive display of fireworks above the Hapan capital of Chume’Dan. She smiles before she begins to speak.
“Good evening citizens of the Consortium! Celebration and festivities have reigned supreme on all the worlds of the Hapes Cluster today as we have celebrated the Royal decree by His Majesty King James making Alexander Tylger the new Crown Prince of the Hapes Consortium.
The coronation of the Crown Prince took place in the throne room of the Fountain Palace today at noon in the presence of the highest officials and nobility of the Consortium. Billions watched the ceremony live in holographic form and on enormous projector screens in plazas in all the Consortium’s major cities where free food and wine was served in honour of the Royal Family. We will now bring you a recap of the footage from the ceremony.”
The image of Chalcedon fades and is replaced by that of the Royal Hapan Palace’s enormous throne room within the central dome of the complex. Vast stained glass windows offer an obscure view of the capital city beyond the palace while the banners of all the Consortium’s worlds and noble houses hang from the bejewelled Ice Moon friezes detailing the past royal dynasties of Hapes. A blue and gold qashmel carpet stretches from the entrance to the chamber all the way to the throne itself, adorned with the petals from the unique blue roses of Hapes Prime.
Ministers and senior officials of the government are seated on the row of seats before the throne along with senior officers from the Royal Hapan Armed Forces. Behind them are members of the ancient noble houses of the Consortium that no longer hold representation in Lorell Hall as well as top representatives of all the Consortium’s worlds and member races. The Lords of the Consortium stand on either side of the King’s throne in white and shimmering silver royal court uniforms adorned with medals, epaulettes and purple sashes. Also present are Queen Victoria and Prince Orion, seated three steps before the King’s throne on their thrones, indicating the Hapan monarch’s unequalled authority and power.
King James is seated on the central throne beneath a large golden Phoenix emblem, dressed in a blue and gold ceremonial garb with a white ermine hood, inherited from his predecessor King Andrew. Resting on his head is the Royal Crown, a priceless piece of regalia used only on special occasions such as this. Surrounded by an air of serenity and authority, the youthful monarch smiles softly as he looks out over the crowd, before finally glancing at the captain of the royal guard and giving a brief approving nod.
Six members of the Phoenix guard dressed in Hapan ceremonial armour step forward and raise the majestic golden dugglehorns. As a royal fanfare sounds, Alexander Tylger can be seen entering the throne room at the far end, dressed in an elaborate costume last worn by Prince Vidall Serelii at the coronation of his wife, Queen-Mother Pal’durath VII, in 3906. The crimson cloak is adorned with shimmering gold lines and an ermine hood under an elaborate collar of Hapan web-silk, flowing behind the noble as he walks up the length of the chamber to the throne. As he stops before the sovereign, he kneels on the last step and raises his head.
King James stands, and Queen Victoria joins him at his side, holding an ornate gold chest in her hands. She opens the box and presents the contents to the monarch. The King reaches out and removes a piece of regalia named Chume Xil Hapesah from within. He holds up a diamond orb containing sixty-three round pieces of Ice Moon within, all positioned to represent a three-dimensional image of the Hapes Cluster’s populated worlds. Tylger extends his hands and receives the orb from the King and holds it in front of his chest. Meanwhile, the King receives two elaborately ornamented sceptres from the Queen, holding one in each hand. One is the Cal Nele’serin, an ancient piece of regalia that has survived the millennia, first used by Queen-Mother Nele’serin II at the coronation of her daughter, signifying the supreme authority of the Hapan sovereign. The second is Cal Fenixius, forged after the Hapan Civil War as a symbol of unity of all Hapan peoples, and their pledge of allegiance to the Throne. The King raises his voice, speaking out to the audience within the chamber.
“Më, Erenedi Chume a Rex’caah jua’h-tira planas e Hapes Enexilanthiusah, daxus Alexander Tarix Tylger Arxianah lin Chume’da n Hapes,” he announces before lowering his sceptres, placing one on each of the Crown Prince’s shoulders, “Të ka a execetores Chumeah, lin ultim tarixis endari qualis a coph, juri, naadili, ere eulys la zaqash for’ta dominatar, illiaru e Hapanii lin siv’aj! Sa te istario!”
Tylger bows his head towards the glowing orb and announces “Sa L istario!” The King raises the two sceptres and hands them back to his wife before receiving the orb from the Crown Prince, which he proceeds to put back in the chest. The Morthornii Royal Advisor Nilij Cal’taru presents an ornate pillow carrying the silver crown of Prince Vidall to the King who lifts it up above his head, letting the rays of sun projected off the royal emblem above the throne bathe it in light before placing it on Tylger’s head. “Alexander Chume’da Tylger Pal’durath Arxianah xe Hapesah!” he announces.
The Royal Fanfare sounds and the crowd within the chamber kneels before the Royal Family and the new Crown Prince. Outside the palace, the sound of bells chiming can be heard, spreading across the city and increasing steadily in volume. A clear female voice can be heard across the chamber “Your Excellencies, Your Honours, subjects of the Throne. His Majesty King James and Her Majesty Queen Victoria, His Highness Prince Orion and His Highness Prince Alexander! Guardians of the Hapan Throne, protectors of the Hapes Consortium and supreme rulers of all the Hapan peoples!” Again the fanfare sounds as the Royal Family begins its procession out of the throne room, accompanied by the melodic singing voices of the Royal Choir of Ut. As the royalty departs the throne room and enters the Hall of Masters beyond, the crowd rises and follows suit to proceed to the festivities.
The image fades and Chalcedon once again appears on screen, smiling brightly.
“Following the ceremony, the Royal Family and all guests retreated to the Royal Dining Hall where the palace staff served a light lunch consisting of the finest dishes available in the Cluster. It is then reported that members of the Tarii and Royal Council, along with His Majesty King James and His Highness Prince Alexander, proceeded to the Queen’s Drawing Room in the Royal Residence where they enjoyed cognac and cigars while having a private discussion on what direction to take the Hapes Consortium in the time ahead. Rumours circulate that this new appointment will involve reform and change across the Hapes Consortium.
The celebration is scheduled to continue over the weekend, with numerous more ceremonies planned. Tomorrow the King and Crown Prince are to meet with representatives of all the Consortium’s member races in Lorell Hall and receive gifts of blessing crafted by top artists of the individual races. We will continue to bring you news and exclusive footage as events unfold!”
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Posted on the 15. January 2010 - 22:59:27 by HNN News Reporter
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| | Merry Christmas
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| From the Royal Palace, located on Hapes Prime, I would like to wish each and every hapan, where ever you might be, a merry christmas and a happy new year.
Enjoy the holidays, spend time with family, don't kill your siblings, and come back full of energy for next year. We have been working hard on some new projects for the upcoming year, and there will be lots to do.
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Posted on the 25. December 2009 - 13:30:15 by King Jessy James
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| | A Hapan Ceremony...
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| The auditorium was bustling as people found their way to their seats. The entirety of the Royal Hapan Support Corps and the Olanji Corporation were seated near the front, with the rest of the Consortium’s military and government workers filing in behind them. The ceremony was being broadcast live through the entire Cluster.
Anacia Chalcedon was sitting in a box seat beside the Lord Regent Locke Firecam and his entire entourage. Her evening gown was sparkling black and her eyes darted to the empty seat beside the Lord Regent.
The cameras were rolling as Anacia asked her first question of the ceremony, “Lord Firecam, is it true that your wife, Fel`da Alley Trepe, has organized this ceremony?”
The Lord Regent smiled and nodded, “Yes, Alley has been the primary organizer behind tonight, but I don’t want to ruin anything. I’m under strict orders to not ruin any of the surprise of the night.”
* * *
The cameras cut to the stage as the side-curtain opened, revealing the Fel`da Alley Trepe walking across in a long, maroon evening gown. She moved behind the podium and offered a smile to the audience.
“Welcome, members of the Royal Hapan Support Corps, the Olanji Corporation, and members of the Consortium in general! I have a fine agenda for the night, so let’s get right on to it.
I am pleased to announce the Olanji Corporation, rejuvenated by Lord Dortan Amethius a few years ago, is still going strong under the leadership of Vice Marshal Hun Leonard of the Royal Hapan Support Corps. Without his great leadership, we would not have the fine ships coming off the production lines to defend our great Cluster.
It was a great honor to serve with Vice Marshal Leonard when I was President of Olanji. As we worked together, I grew to know a man who is as kind as he is hardworking. Vice Marshal Leonard, please come to the stage.”
The cameras cut to the front row as the Vice Marshal stood up, straightened his uniform, and headed to the stage. As he approached the Fel`da, he smiled and shook her hand.
“As head of the Royal League of Commerce and with the approval of the Lord Regent, Locke Firecam, I hereby award Vice Marshal Hun Leonard of the Royal Hapan Support Corps with the rank of Marshal.” She opened a box and offered it to the Vice Marshal, whose look of surprise was apparent on his face.
“Before everyone breaks out into applause, I want to note one thing. There has only been one person in the entire history of the Royal Hapan Support Corps who has ever achieved this rank before Marshal Leonard. That was Lord Dortan Amethius himself, who attained Chief Marshal before his retirement. That’s great company, Hun.” She smiled at the newly promoted Marshal, “Congratulations!” As she broke into applause, so did the auditorium. The entire auditorium was now standing, still applauding the great achievements of a man who has done a great many things. |
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Posted on the 04. December 2009 - 15:23:29 by HNN News Reporter
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| | Lordship
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| Walking through the Royal Palace, Minister Tovakinpi Toshikhan couldn't help be steal another glance at the peculiar manner of the Phoenix Guard - six finely honed warriors, the King's elite bodyguards, each decked out in the traditional livery demanded of their role within the palace proper. He'd visited the palace many times before, more times in the past year than he cared to remember, but he'd ever been escorted in this fashion. A court servant or even senior dignitary, perhaps, but never with a formal guard chosen from the King's own.
The halls of the palace were unusually empty, with even the basic staff not to be seen. A tense silence had befallen the place since his last audience with the Royal Court, leading his mind to wonder a dozen ill tidings such might foretell. He'd been summoned abruptly, with no explanation or comment as to what the meeting would regard, and instructed to arrive at a precise time on a precise date. There had been no offers or requests - this was the absolute will of the King and he would fail it upon his peril.
And so he'd come, arriving at the designated hour at the proper visitor's entrance, to find his present companions awaiting him. Now, ten minutes into their grand, lonely procession through the seat of the Hapan monarchy, Toshikhan was still at a loss as to what he was here to consult upon.
The somber manner of the guard, the severe expressions of the two servants who'd first greeted him, and the irregular silence of the palace made him fear the worse. Perhaps the king's son had been injured. Had the queen taken ill? Queen Mother forbid, perhaps the rumours of a possible assassination plot against the King himself had not been as great a stretch as had been thought, proven true only in his dying breaths?!
These questions settled to the back of his mind, however, as the guards turned down a corridor he'd never walked before - a smaller, more intimate hallway that seemed almost dusty and disused, despite the immaculate manner it was maintained. Looming before them were a tall, narrow set of double doors, crafted of only the finest woods and metals available to the Hapan kingdom. Though he'd never set eyes upon this place in the past, he knew from accounts from those older, if not wiser, than he what lay beyond that door.
The Chamber of Lords.
Once, it was here that the Lords of the Hapan Cluster had sat in council with His Royal Majesty, King Jessy James I, to advise and hear the wisdom of their beloved ruler. Once, it had been here where a dozen Lords had discussed the future of their nation, sat in judgment over the lesser nobles, and the fates of entire systems had been decided. Once.
Those were times before his reckoning, before he'd found his way into the King's service. Since then, the Chamber had fallen silent, the ranks of the Lords faltered and faded, and the glory that such a place had once been diminished into scarcely a memory. In the past four years, only a single Lord had been raised, and even the voice of that one had fallen silent of late. And so, one of Hapes' guiding lights had gone out, fading into the fog of history.
At last, the entourage reached the doors, with the six guards turning sharply to face inwards as they clacked their heels together with a resounding crack. Toshikhan was left to wonder as to whether he should enter, or knock, or simply wait, but only for a moment. The door crept open after only a few moments, the narrow entrance filled by a familiar figure.
Lord Vang Tyrridon, once Toshikhan's commander and mentor, stood just inside the door, his traditional uniform - despite his retirement - in precise military order, his medals, awards, and sash of noble office each glimmering in the dim light. His face, etched with years of service, joy, and worry, was no less serious than that of the guards who'd brought him this far. Looking over the younger man before him, his eyes showed no emotion whatsoever as they took the man Toshikhan had become.
Seeming to give the slightest of nods of acceptance, he uttered a single, raspy command, "come," and then turned back into the chamber, leaving the way open. Stepping hesitantly through the door, Toshikhan did not even had the opportunity to pause to close the door behind him before the nearest guard did so.
The chamber was smaller than he'd expected. The array of small thrones, each identical, were laid out in a circular manner, each equidistant from the next. The only difference between any of them were a classical set of Hapan runes embroidered upon their backs, one for each of the systems of the Hapan cluster. Only one such place stood out from amongst all the others, the only one grander than the others. That was the throne directly across the room from him. The Throne of the Lord of Hapes...the Throne of the King.
Tovakinpi breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that throne occupied by its rightful owner, King Jessy James I, who appeared in very good health indeed. Beside him stood Lord Locke Firecam, tall and straight, wearing a uniform every bit as well prepared as Lord Tyrridon's. He began to move through the center of the chamber towards the king, but was stopped before he could take a step by Lord Tyrridon's outstretched hand and stern glare. Gulping to himself ever so softly, he realized he had almost breached some form of protocol. Stopping - and coming, without realizing it, to strict attention, despite his lack of military uniform - he awaited whatever was to come.
Satisfied that his young friend had realized his error, Lord Tyrridon turned back towards the other two occupants and raised his voice.
"Your Royal Majesty, Assembled Lords of the Hapan Consortium, Protectors of the Cluster and it's traditions and people, I present for your review, Tovakinpi Toshikhan, Minister of His Royal Majesty's Government, General of His Royal Majesty's Armed Forces, loyal subject and citizen of this Hapan Cluster. Would any present contest his right to speak before you?" Tyrridon paused momentarily, though if he felt ridiculous at the unnecessary adherence to tradition, he did not show it. "Your Royal Majesty, will you hear your loyal subject and citizen?"
"I will hear him," replied the king from atop his throne, completing the rites of acceptance. With the ceremony complete, Tyrridon visibly relaxed and motioned for Tovakinpi to follow him. They joined Lord Firecam, standing before the raised throne, where sat King James, looking at them each directly.
"Sometimes," Tyrridon said as he half-sat upon the arm of the throne to the king's left, "I wonder if that's really even necessary anymore."
"It isn't," responded Firecam, crossing his arms as he considered their guest. "Welcome to our retreat, Tova."
Toshikhan responded with a slight smile, but his eyes never left the king, who was considering him every bit as gravel as Lord Tyrridon had only moments earlier. He felt as though he should say something, but words never quite came out. It was instead the King who finally broke the silence.
"Minister," the seated royal began, the words coming out with a calm, control tone, "do you know why you have been summoned here?"
"No, Your Majesty," Tovakinpi replied honestly.
"Good, then word has not leaked yet." King James sat back in his throne, crossing his legs as he found comfort in the familiar chair. "In a few minutes, a proclamation will be made to the entire cluster announcing that I have restored the traditional order of ascendancy to the throne. The old ways are mended once more, for the Lords will once again ascend to the throne by order of seniority."
Toshikhan's eyes went wide with the news. While the announcement was not groundbreaking in its effect upon how the Consortium would operate today, it had profound implications on the future leadership and guiding vision for their star nation. He had only just begun to consider the implications when the king interjected once more.
"Subsequently, as the most senior of Lords, I have named Lord Tylger as my Crown Prince, that he might replace me when my time is past." The news that a Crown Prince had been formally named was shocking enough, but for the king to be so openly discussing a day when such a prince would ascend... "Minister, the fact of the matter is that, sooner rather than later, my time will be past. Through either abdication or the passage of time, we approach the day when a new King will assume this seat. We must be prepared for that. So I will train Prince Tylger that which he will need to know in order to lead, that he is just as prepared for that day."
"Now, that leaves the question of daily management of my government still open. Those duties will, from this time forth, fall to the Lord Regent, who shall be the next in line of succession." Tova's eyes shot to his friend, Lord Tyrridon, who returned his gaze with the slightest twinkling in his eyes and the slightest shaking of his head.
"Not I, Tova," he said, answering the questions that must be zipping through his former apprentice's head. "Like our King, I see my own days passing me. If it had come to me, ten years ago, then perhaps I would have taken up the challenge, but these challenges we have to face in this age... My generation is passing, Tova." Tyrridon sighed deeply, then let a soft smile take his face once more. "His Majesty and I have discussed this at some length and I have decided to abdicate the position to the next in seniority."
Tova's eyes whipped to Lord Firecam, easily Tyrridon's junior by some twenty years, still standing as tall and proud as on the day Tova had seen him assume command of all of the Consortium's forces. A presence to be respected and a force to be reckoned with, the junior Lord looked every bit the noble warrior.
"Lord Firecam will be Lord Regent and next in line to my thrown," finished King James, smiling at the newly appointed second-in-line to commanding the entire kingdom.
"Well," Toshikhan started, truly bewildered at the news that had been laid before him, "I suppose we've a lot of work to be done. The people are going to-"
"Tova," Tyrridon interrupted, "stop. You seem to have forgotten a few things."
"I have?" asked the young man, retracing his thoughts. His mind was flying faster and further than it ever had before, so it wasn't outside the realm of possibility that he'd forgotten some particular point. "What?"
"That a line of ascension only works if there is a reasonable depth to the line, for starters," added Firecam, amused by his friend's shock. It came as no true surprise - he'd felt the same when the King had informed he and Lord Tyrridon of his decisions as well. But that didn't mean he wasn't going to have fun with it.
"Or," Tyrridon noted, rolling his eyes at the anointed Lord Regent, "the fact that only Lords and the Prime Minister may enter these chambers whenever the King is present."
Toshikhan rolled that around in his head for a moment, digesting the new implications, and not quite caring for what they indicated.
"Wait...am I to be the new prime minister?" The manner of the question showed only too clearly what Tovakinpi thought of such a proposition.
Tyrridon nearly doubled over in mirth. "Why is it when given only two options, you still manage to chose the wrong one?" Looking over to his fellow noble, Lord Tyrridon winked, sending the two men into motion. Each taking one of Minister Toshikhan's arms in hand, they moved him to just before throne and forced him to kneel, even as he tried to figure out what was going on.
King James rose suddenly, reaching to grasp the scabbard beside his throne, and pulled forth the great sword within. The elaborately crafted sword, passed down through the rulers of Hapes since the earliest days of the Queen Mothers, had seen this particular ceremony more times than any noble might possibly hope to contemplate. And now, it added one more to its own annals of history.
"Tovakinpi Toshikhan," began the King, his voice rising to fill the chamber with an unwavering strength, "for you many years of dedicated and loyal service to the armed forces which defend this Cluster, to the government which rules over the worlds within it's boundaries, and to the subjects of this Kingdom to whom you have served as a model subject and leader, by my right and decry, I do hereby name you Lord Tovakinpi Toshikhan, that you might rule over your system with faith and dignity and serve your kingdom with continued dedication and loyalty. Let it be done!"
Taking the sword in both hands, King James placed the blade upon Toshikhan's right shoulder, then lifted it and placed it upon his left. Raising the sword once more, the king brought the tip of the blade to rest upon the floor before him.
"Arise, Lord Toshikhan!"
Tovakinpi rose to his feet once more, still completely floored at what had just occurred. Shaking his head once more, Tyrridon turned him halfway to his left and pointed at a throne just next to Firecam's.
"That's yours now. And the sword there, let that be your own as well." He smiled at Firecam, remembering years earlier, when another of his students had been in similar circumstances. Minister - Lord - Toshikhan stepped over to his new throne amongst the Chamber of Lords, picking up the sword. It was unmistakable, for he had seen it shortly after it's forging a few years prior. He glanced up at Lord Tyrridon in disbelief.
"Don't worry, I can get another," he reassured his friend.
"We get more Lords around here and you're going to need to buy your own armoury," Firecam mused, his hand resting upon his own gifted sword.
"What makes you think I really gave you my sword to begin with?" Tyrridon asked jovially, clasping the lord upon the shoulder.
Above the gentle rubbing of the two friends, however, the King gained all of the attention of all with a simple closing to the whole affair.
"My Lords, we've come through a difficult period, these past few years. But with this day we begin anew. We've a very long road to travel, but I say with confidence that we have the right people in the right places at the right time. So, I have faith that we will see daylight on the other side." The king grinned at the three men before him, knowing that something fundamental was changing within Hapes, something emerging right before his eyes. "My Lords, welcome to our new day." |
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Posted on the 22. October 2009 - 20:36:00 by King Jessy James
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| | Hapan Star Publishes New Paper!
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| The latest issue of the Hapan Star has just been posted.
Enjoy!! |
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Posted on the 04.09.2009 - 10:02:41 by Hapan Star
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