Royal Proclamation
Category: HNN Broadcasted on 23DEC20 - 18:18:34hrs Author Zayth Kadrim Comments: 1
The Hapan News Network introduction begins with scenes from around the Hapes Cluster flashing across the screen, accompanied with an uplifting theme melody. As the introduction reaches its conclusion, the royal seal fades into a live feed from the grand chambers of the Lorell Hall.
The chambers appear packed with people sitting attentively on wide benches forming rows on each side of the central aisle, which runs from the massive entrance arcs all the way to the podium across the room. Members of the Royal Council, the executive governing body of Hapes Consortium, can barely be seen from the feed sitting on the front row alongside members of the Council of Lords, with several representatives of the Royal League of Commerce, royal court, as well as foreign dignitaries visible similarly among the crowd made up planetary governors, government officials and military officers from the various service branches. Lining the walls are Chume’doro in motionless vigilance, signifying the royal presence within the Lorell Hall for the occasion.
“His Royal Majesty, Zayth I!” The announced arrival of the King to the chambers blares across the space with great fanfare as the Rai`ix Chume walks into view from a side entrance, and heads straight for the dais. His exquisite cape flowes with each taken step, displaying a formal dress uniform beneath. An elegant if also delicate looking crown adorns the king’s head, likely discreet enough to be worn beneath a hood or a helmet – a far cry from the grandiose pomp of the one brought to limelight for the most distinct of occasions, such as the crowning of the monarch a decade ago.
The Hapan King stands still on the dais for a moment, gazing upon the crowd as an attendant from the Fountain Palace approaches him to remove the King’s cape. Then, placing his hands gently on the sides of the podium, the King breaks into a wide smile before beginning to address the hushed crowd;
“Fellow Hapans! I have come to address you here today with my Royal Proclamation.
Fifty years have passed since the reunification! For fifty years have we enjoyed the spoils of peace and unity, creating a great society of a trillion souls living in prosperity and comfort, its peoples as one, within this precious and beautiful star sector that we are proud to call our home!"
"We have much to be grateful for, much to be proud of, and much to heed from our past. This Jubilee Celebration, now coming to a close, though with festivities still continuing into the holiday season, was our way of marking the passage of time, and to celebrate our accomplishments in the past, and present.”
“I want to thank once more personally the many heads of state and other honourable guests of the past weeks, who graced us with their presence here at the Lorell Hall for the occasion, and with whom I had the rare privilege to hold so many inspiring and rewarding talks in person. I also want to express my appreciation for all the well wishes sent to us from those who were unable to attend in person. We all inhabit this same galaxy, and though the future remains unknowable and always in flux, I am encouraged by the many ties that have persevered through time and challenges, as well as by the rekindling of old friendships, and the dawn of new ones, during these past weeks. To all of you, friends and familiar faces near and far out there, I wish you the very best with the coming weeks and the year to come.”
The king holds a solemn pause, prior to continuing; “There has been plenty of cause for reflection these past months, as our modern era has turned to its second half of its first century. It has also been ten years, since I was entrusted with the Hapan Throne by my mentor and confidant, Tarix Chume Alexander Diranix Tylger. A whole decade, if but a passing moment in the count of our history spanning many millennia, is regardless a long time to rule for any being! Difficult questions and answers about one’s own purpose and means, are but one aspect of the self-discovery which is a part of the journey, but one should not claim that it has been one without its moments of joy and satisfaction."
"Balancing innovation and change against stability and tradition, one wishes to lunge forward to seize the future without leaving anyone behind or destining them into the past. One wishes to rejuvenate that which lives on, without unrooting it from its noble place. One seeks to appreciate the peace and to live for the present, without forgetting that we are not owed lasting comfort or safety with past glories. And to do all that with purpose, always with great purpose! Where we fail or succeed with those choices, one must never forget: We are a glorious nation! We should be proud of what we have accomplished together! We should honour that which has been, just as we honour the past and future alike with our preparations for the times and generations ahead!“
“My fellow Hapans, while I seek not to stand here as your King in another decade extolling the passage of ever more years, it has been a tremendous journey that I have been proud to have taken alongside you all!”
A roaring applause begins, heartening the crowd into an almost deafening clapping hum resonating across the space, with the Rai'ix Chume raising his arms to gesture appreciation, but with an intent to continue.
“I want to thank each and every one of you for your many contributions towards the betterment of our nation, and the well being of our peoples. Hapes Consortium owes much to the legendary figures who built its modern foundations, and to the countless individuals who have since partaken in sustaining them in numerous different roles. Without the great efforts of the many veritable giants in your respective fields among us today, and those seeking to fill such shoes, as well as our venerable veterans who lend us their lasting strength, our precious Consortium could not continue to prosper so!”
“During those first years of my reign in particular, when many a challenge had to be faced in short succession, I relied on no one more to solve them than Fel`da Regalix Alarendor Tarix Cyrus, and Fel’ta Xesh Randell. Gentlemen, if you would be so kind as to join mere here on the dais.”
The king smiles anew, and moves to the side of the podium, as the two rise from their seats at the front row, accompanied on their approach by Chume’doro guards. They are then joined by Tarix Chume Tylger, and an attendant carrying a large pillow holding items hidden under a velvet cloth, as they all exchange light bows.
The Tarix Chume reaches underneath the cloth on top of the pillow and retrieves a medal he hands to the King.
“Lord Cyrus.” The King beckons flashing a soft smile, and attaches the Medal of Virtue to the sharp dress uniform worn by the human. “We are fortunate you have continued to serve the Crown past your original retirement, and I am glad there was still something of great weight to be added to your remarkable collection of medals here. No one in the galaxy can claim a more storied career in industry, I hope you know that.” The noble whose house governs Vergill bows in response.
“And I presume we remain in agreement about the next item on the list?” The King asks, with a hint of a grin apparent now in the smile on his face. “Indeed”, Cyrus responds, adjusting his uniform to account for the addition, and both of them turn to face towards Tylger, who nods and reaches anew to the pillow held by the attendant. This time, Tylger pulls back the cloth, revealing from beneath it an ornate sceptre adorned with precious gems from great many centuries past, a symbol of the Hapan monarch’s authority and rule. Passing it gently onto Kadrim, who receives it with both hands, they all turn to Fel’ta Randell.
“Xesh Randell…” the King begins, eyeing the younger hapan from head to toe. “Few serve with such dedication and fervour, for so long, in as many capacities as you have. You have paid a pivotal role in my Royal Council across a spectrum of positions in the ever so important ministries of Defence, Interior, and Industry. Your impact and involvement remains to be felt across the government from the Star Home Academy to the Department of Culture, from the Department of Personnel to the Hapanii For’ta’nix Curia. Should you seek to enjoy the rest of your days away from the limelight, we could ask no more of you.”
In the brief silence that follows, the two are seen locked in staring each other in the eyes, before the King speaks further, pivoting the sceptre and directing it forward.
“Today, in the presence of the serving lords of the Consortium and countless witnesses, it is my utmost privilege and pleasure to add one more name to the hallowed records of the Council of Lords."
"Kneel, Randell…” The hapan lowers himself to a kneel, and the King brings the regal sceptre down twice, touching down once on each shoulder of the kneeling man.
“And now rise, as Grand Duke Randell!” the King bellows.
The live feed zooms back to display the entire chambers as it erupts into applause and cheering guests rise from their seats to honour the newly appointed Tarix, as the clapping momentarily overtakes the fanfare by the sound of the blaring dugglehorns in the background.
After a fashion, as the roaring clapping begins to calm down, the feed focuses back on the dais, where the King has moved back to the podium to continue his address.
“Tarix Randell, may your name and family ever be held in honour of your service, in service to the Crown, to the Hapes Consortium, and its people. I can think of no more fitting outcome of our shared years than giving you a seat on the Council of Lords. My congratulations! And my best to you all, dear Hapans! Have a lovely Hapmas, and may we find great success with the challenges ahead of us!”
And with that, with even more clapping beginning to spread across the great hall, the Royal proclamation comes to an end. The feed from the chambers begins fading out, replaced by a view of from the outside of the Lorell Hall, its great dome glistening in the evening light across a booming display of fireworks shooting towards the skies behind it.
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