HNN - For Whom The Bells Toll
Category: HNN Broadcasted on 30.Mar.2012 - 20:38hrs Author Alex Tylger Comments: 0
The standard introductory montage of the Hapan News Network flashes across the screen accompanied by the uplifting theme melody. As the sequence comes to an end, Anacia Chalcedon appears on screen before the backdrop of the Castle of Per`Agthra. She gives a nod and a thin smile before addressing the viewers.
"Good evening, Hapes. This is the Hapan Evening, once again giving you an overview of the historical events of the last few days.
Three days ago, the Fountain Palace issued a statement informing the public that Vang Tarix Tyrridon died in his sleep at the age of 63. News of Tyrridon`s passing shocked the population of the Hapan throne world and ensured the postponement of most of the Royal Palace and Lorell Hall`s official agenda in the ensuing days.
The news comes only months after the Tarix announced his retirement to the public. In the time since then, Tyrridon frequently travelled back and forth between Hapes Prime and his holdings in the Dreena system, concluding his duties as Chancellor of the High Court and also fulfilling his duties as an advisor on the Royal Council. His last act in official capacity was attending the award ceremony celebrating the completion of the Oxbo Project in Ut. Tyrridon passed away the same evening as he returned to Cirvorn after the ceremony.
As soon as the news reached the Royal Court, the Pulsar Battle Cruiser HRS Pride, flagship of the Royal Hapan Armed Forces, was dispatched by the Throne to the Dreena system with a company of the Chume`doro, who escorted the Tarix`s body to Hapes Prime.
Escorted by several H-1 Light Battle Tanks and twenty-four members of the Royal Guard, Tyrridon`s casket rested on a hover-sled pulled by six white Valinq as it traversed the capital city of Chume`Dan. Millions of mourners poured in to the streets to pay their respects as the procession moved from the southern starport, down Ta`a Chume Avenue, across Gallinore Square, circled Lorell Hall, and then moved in to the gardens of the Fountain Palace.
In the gardens surrounding the palace complex, the casket was moved in to the rotunda of the Hall of Nele`serin annex as the Fountain Palace defensive batteries fired a 19-gun salute in to the skies above the capital. This was followed by squadrons of Miy`Til Interceptors flying in ceremonial formation, dropping rose petals that came to cover the city avenues.
In the days that have followed, the body has been lying in state within the Hall of Nele`serin annex, to allow citizens from all across the Hapes Consortium to honour the deceased. Dressed in full regalia of the Royal Court uniform adorned with his prestigious awards - such as the Medal of Honour - the Tarix hands rested on his chest, holding his lightsaber.
Members of the Royal Council, Council of Lords, and the Military High Command were all in attendance for the memorial service. Retired Hapan officials and officers such as Alex Smith, Mors Baynos, Marcus Bayne, Alley Trepe, Carrie Jade, Sirius Threestars and Zell Jaak also made a rare public appearance to pay their respects, the gravity of the loss reflected on their sombre faces.
The Rai`ix Chume delivered an eulogy broadcast from the Royal Hapan Palace where he opted to forego the traditional use of majestic plural. Here is his speech in full."
The image cuts to that of King Alexander standing before a stained glass window overlooking the vast gardens surrounding the Fountain Palace complex in Chume`Dan.
"Citizens of the Hapes Consortium,
This week our nation suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of Vang Jacarus Tyrridon, the Tarix of Dreena.
Vang was born in to a militaristic family of privilege in 3976, during a period of great unrest and strife in the Consortium`s history, that of the Hapan Civil War. He and his family relocated outside the Cluster`s border at the end of the conflict in order to help heal the wounds it had left in Hapan society. They sought to help rebuild Hapes by ensuring the Consortium could import the means to modernize after half a century of war.
Over the decades, Vang became involved in the Rebel Alliance where he rose to the position of Chief of Operations and second-in-command. Unsatisfied with the leadership of the rebellion and disillusioned with the cause, Vang returned to the Hapes Consortium in 4027 at the invitation of fellow Hapan, Alex Smith.
In the twelve years that have passed since his return from self-imposed exile, Vang has cemented himself in to the very foundation of our government and military. Through his ascension in the Consortium`s ranks he carved a legacy for himself, and became the living symbol of the old school of Hapan nobility, military officers, and government officials.
Vang was a man of many characteristics; feared, renowned, and respected; stern, dour-faced, and outspoken. While somewhat lacking in the princely grace that characterized nobility of old, Vang was a man whose very persona commanded attention and respect. His record of titles, ranks and positions is much too vast for me to go in to detail, but surely they were nearly unparalleled in recent history. Together with Andrew Starfyre, he revived Lorell Hall`s use in the Hapan government structure after the Hapan Civil War, and paved the way for the creation of the Royal Council. He was Fel`da on five occasions; twice in Defence, twice in Intelligence, and External Affairs once; not to mention his numerous stints as Fel`ta. He was Vice Admiral and Commander of the Royal Hapan Navy, and later Lieutenant General and Commander of the Royal Hapan Army. He founded the Ministry of Intelligence predecessor - Central Hapan Intelligence, was awarded the title Tarix twice, became a powerful student in the ways of the Force, and was a Medal of Honour recipient. He was a fellow Hapan to all, an advisor to kings, an adversary to some, a mentor to many, but most important of all: a friend.
Vang embodied service to the Consortium through his long and rich life, and for that we owe him a great debt of gratitude. No king could ever have need of a more devoted subject. He was one who was always ready to shoulder the burdens of responsibility through great personal sacrifice, and was never afraid to voice his concerns while offering well contemplated advice and input. For this, I posthumously award him the Medal of Excellence.
My own history with Vang stretches back to the aftermath of the Black Sun Crisis where he reprimanded me in his capacity as Fel`da of Defence. A clash of personalities and, undoubtedly, egos ensued. Our personal rivalry within the Consortium`s halls of power became almost a cornerstone of Hapan political life. But eventually we found mutual grounds in the main thing we had in common: love for the Consortium. And over the years, the rivalry and mutual distrust withered and died, giving birth to genuine mutual respect. Not as previously fellow military officers, Fel`da, Tarix, or lately monarch and subject, but as friends. And that is how I shall remember him.
In accordance with Vang`s last will and testament, and the traditions of House Tyrridon, his body will be returned to his estate on Cirvorn in the Dreena system. There, surrounded by sixteen guards from his household led by his closest friend, Mike Garibaldi, a funeral pyre will pave the way for him in to the netherworld.
Tonight as the memorial service is held in the Fountain Palace, the bells in the temples across the Hapes Consortium shall toll 63 times, once for each year in Vang`s life. Candles will be lit to remind us that life is precious, as each flame is unique. When the flame goes out, it is gone forever, and there will never be another quite like it. We will raise our glasses in toast; to absent friends, in memory still bright.
Sleep in the light, my friend."
The screen fades to a video montage with the highlights of the last few days.
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