New Swiss News 1913

[Tanthalas]

It had all started with the heavily contested Presidential Election, the Confederation Candidate Clarke had narrowly edged out the Incumbent Dooku of the Nationalist Party.  Allegations of Ballot stuffing had been almost immediate when the results were made public. The Nationalists were the first to approach the Royalists with the proposal of a Joint Front.  No one was really sure what went on in that smoke filled room on the night of January 14th, all anyone knew was that the Leaders and prominent members of the Royalists, the Nationalists, Enterprise, and Peace had met for 6 hours, and that the next day William Abdicated in favor of Henry.  The True Surprise had come in the first session of the Senate when the Head of the Nationalist Party had introduced a Vote of No Confidence on President Clarke.  The Royalists, Enterprise, Peace, and of course Nationalist Parties had all supported it in their entirety the true surprise however was that 4 members of the Confederation party had supported it Giving the motion the strength of 69-31 in favor of it.  Immediately after the motion Passed the Royalist leader Sir Reginald Oxford Esquire the fourth Presented a motion that the Australian Monarch be given the Position Lord Protector of the Republic, with all powers incumbent on that title, it had passed by the same 69-31 margin as the previous motion, Giving the Republic for the first time Ever a Monarch.  The Powers of the Presidency had been greatly reduced, Clarke would be responsible for reporting to the King advising him on military and economic matters, Leading the Senate and Providing the Tiebreaking vote on any matter requiring one.  The King still wouldn't be able to enter the Senate without an invitation, however his signature would be required on all new legislation.

When 3 months later he had received the Telegram ordering him back to active duty to take Command of NSS Independence he had still been absolutely shocked, the shock of the bloodless revolution in Phoenix still hadn't truly set in at that point.  He once again pulled the folded and worn paper from the breast pocket of his Uniform reading it for what must have been the hundredth time

To: Capitan Sir William Stonebanks III
From: Fleet Command Phoenix

Regarding: Orders

You are hereby ordered to proceed to Phoenix at best possible speed, Further Instructions will be provided upon your Arrival.

Sincerely Naval High Command

It was just a few simple lines, he had assumed he was going to be given Command of another Cruiser, but when he reported to Fleet HQ Admiral Sellers himself had given him his new Orders, and Promotion to the Rank of Commodore. He still smiled whenever he thought about that "conversation"

Sellers: Son we're promoting you.
Stonebanks: Yes Sir
Sellers: Don't you even want to know why?
Stonebanks: It's not my Job to ask why Sir, it's my job to take and Obey my orders.
Sellers: Well son from now on it's your job to ask why.
Stonebanks: Yes SIR, Why am I being promoted?
Sellers: It is the Opinion of me among others that you are the most qualified person to take command of the new Battle group based around NSS Independence, and NSS Indomitable as soon as she is finished.
Stonebanks: YES SIR! I won't disappoint you sir
Sellers: I have no doubt you won't Commodore, ill order Charles to take you to your new Command.
Stonebanks: Thank you Sir.

The whole Conversation had lasted a mere 5 minutes, but with that he was on his way, Yes it had been a truly amazing 6 months