Senator Arbiel emerged from the side of the dais, resplendent in a toga which glistened like snow with lining as crimson red as blood. As the Elysian took center state he looked out on the crowd slowly with eyes as blue as the ocean but as cold as ice, and ruffled his great wings in preparation to speak. Before him was gathered a great crowd of Plebians, numbering 5,430, some here voluntarily and some encourage in order to meet the quota. It couldn’t be seen performing to a venue that wasn’t, so to speak ‘sold out’. Around the edge of the crowd and standing perfectly to attention were a unit of Antheodon and three of Seraph to ensure nothing could go wrong. Probably unnecessary given the weapon checks at each of the three gates, but the senators were not one to take risks, at least not with their personal safety. To die at the hands of a treacherous Plebian – there could be few deaths with less honour. In any case they served as an impressive symbol of strength.
Senator Arbiel cleared his throat and the dozen video-recorder-transceiver drones focused on him from various angles, sending this speech to every Plebian house and workplace (any of the government operated ones at least, or ones with a screen). His voice filled the assembly place magnificently, the product of years of practise, a dozen preparation ‘mock’ speeches and of course a hidden microphone and speaker system. The effect was impressive, to say the least.
“My fellow citizens it has been but a few months since, through the grace of God, we were granted our independence from the Empire of the Yamatians,” his face showed mild distaste at the mention of the name but this was soon cleared in to a radiant smile, “And we have made good of those months, and achieved much. We are still but a shadow of our former glory – but do not doubt that we shall be restored to our rightful place among the stars!” The Senator paused here both for dramatic effect and the gauge the mood of the crowd – which from the look (and sound) of things was pretty good.
“And yet it will not be an easy task – our path is strewn with obstacles and hazards. Among these are the alien Mishhuvurthyar who plague our south and whose assault, when it comes, will be terrible and from which our only protection is the good will of Yamatai,” And again he looked less than happy at this prospect, “The will of our deity and our own strength.” He paused to allow his words to sink in to the crowd. “And to our South-East lies Nepleslia – primal cousins of the Yamataians – and it is unwise to feel safe while these powerful barbarians linger there, no doubt eyeing our territory – the only one open to them – as the wolf regards the lamb.”
“But fear not! For when our enemies come they will find that Elysia is not an infant nation too weak to defend herself, but a nation with centuries of legacy and they will face the ferocity of lions, the spirit of Eagles!” Arbion’s tempo had been steadily rising, his volume coming to a crescendo on ‘Eagles’. Now he continued, more restrained but still powerful and passionate (but ultimately controlled). “The Celestial Navy is forever vigilant, and our great minds are developing weapons to strike fear into the hearts of our enemies.”
“Yet there is something you can do, an action on your part that can help ensure our great nation’s survival! There is one area in which we fall behind our rivals – territory and the production capacity and resources that go with it. While we have two planets more splendid than any they possess: noble Veritas and Elysia Novus, Pride of our Empire and the rock on which we stand, our rivals possess far more, albeit inferior, worlds.”
“If we are to survive we must grow, and this is where you can your mark! Amongst the gifts which Yamatai left us are three great colony-ships, which they called Horizon but we call Arks, and on these those lucky few shall travel to distant worlds and make them their home, to claim those planets as our own.”
“On these new planets of ours you shall have new lives, a chance to start again – a great service to both yourselves and our nation. We shall provide you with new homes, and the essentials for your rebirth – and a sizable reward for your generosity towards the great cause. Please, contact your local Senator to find out more, and I hope I shall see you on our new conquests as we strive forwards, towards our glorious future!”
Senator Arbiel bowed deeply and listened to the applaud from the crowd. Well that had gone well, and with any luck they would have more than enough applicants to fill up the arks and colonize the three closest planets. Patriotism was such a wonderful, noble and easily manipulated thing. He walked off the stage with a wide, almost smug, grin.
