The Inaugural Address

PART III - CHAPTER I

1.

"Happy Inauguration Day, everyone!" Brock's voice shouted sarcastically from behind a podium into a microphone and through the loudspeakers outside the ruins of the Royal Birthing Bureau's headquarters in Taupo, Sagittarian Territory. The onlooking crowd of hundreds of riled-up rebels replied with laughter and their own set of sarcastic greetings. Huge camera screens captured Brock grinning in response to their returned sarcasm.

After the bombings that led to the destruction of the town, Taupo quickly became the new home of the people's rebellion. New recruits from all over the Commonwealth were arriving daily in the weeks and months leading up to the end of Alexander IV's treacherous reign. Now that Alexandria was inaugurated, high hopes of a democratic coalition forming with the aim to disenfranchise the House of Scorpius was inevitably on the horizon. Taupo's increased size allowed it to become a sort of autonomous zone, and not soon after the tour of the territories, it declared itself independent of the Commonwealth's central government. Unverified reports of similar autonomous zones popping up on the South Island in the places most destroyed by Alexander IV's administration circled through rumors in conversation amongst the most ambitious recruits. The power vacuum that accompanied the end of Alexander IV's administration provided the possibility for these rumors to occur, and with Alexandria's newfound attempt to appease their demands (all while without surrendering power), their self-governance was yet to be challenged.

"So, I'm not sure if you all have read Alexandria's lengthy Inaugural Address–" Brock began, lifting a copy of the longest Inaugural Address in the Commonwealth's history. As he lifted it the crowd responded with a mixed collection of replies. Some booed, others shouted 'No!' or 'Hell no!', while others simply laughed again. Brock continued, "Well, let me save you the time..." He began, sifting through the address to find an entry to recite. His eyes grew wider, "Oh, look! Here's one written by me this past May, addressed to Her Royal Highness, Alexandria Scorpius:

"This is Brock Mavers with an urgent message for Alexandria. Philip has had to flee Leo Territory after an Ariesan raid of his host location. Philip and tour documents are secure. We are currently searching for the source of the leaked information to the Ariesans, and we again want to assure you we understand Alexander IV calls all military commands as long as he is Commander of Forces and Emperor.

"Well look at that, I never knew I could be so matter-of-factly. How kind of me to conveniently excuse Alexandria of any guilt for the Collingwood raids! Being known as a raid initiator is not a good look for an incoming Divine Ruler, now is it?" Brock's voice was almost comical in its disdain for Alexandria and her fake letters. "Also, it turns out I've been missing ever since the tour of territories, good to know!" Brock couldn't help but let out a small laugh. "Don't fret, though, if I ever decide to return to public life I have been invited to join Alexandria's little cabinet of everyday plebeians from her loyal little territories."

Brock wasted no time answering the question of whether or not the people's rebellion looked fondly on Alexandria's approach to introducing herself. 18 months ago, Brock was a much less radicalized version of himself and still had hope that together, he and Philip could somehow use Mabel's pseudo-rebellion as a way to mobilize Charity's colleagues to reignite the true, people's rebellion. If you would have told that past Brock that he would manage to accomplish reestablishing the people's rebellion, but not before losing Philip and Charity along the way, he would have never believed you. But alas, that's exactly what happened, and Alexandria got to retell it in her own twisted and insidious way; all for her own benefit. The address infuriated Brock more than ever he thought it could.

"Today marks the start of the end of the Commonwealth as we know it. Today, in the memory of Charity Vanquent and Philip Sangra, we initiate a path forward, against a new enemy, a new administration; a new administration that is already lying to us all.