Advancing Boldly Into The Long Night

[Shadowsage]

A flickering transmission rife with static and blaring noise made its way through the airwaves. Any receivers in the Northern Hemisphere, if concentrated enough, would be able to detect the transmission and listen to its' words. Even more sensitive devices would be able to define the scratchy video information also sent along with the speech.

The Imperator stood at a podium, breathing with his eyes closed. He spoke passionately, with a fire heard only in the houses of preachers and warriors.

"Citizens of the Imperium, Loyal Subjects of the God-Imperator," he began, uncharacteristically referring to the faith placed in him by the Imperial Cult. "There comes a time of testing in every Nation's history, a time of turbulence brought on by some tragic event.

"That has come for us. We are alone in this world, a solitary protector of the rights of the individual. We are fighting by ourselves, but not just for ourselves; for the oppressed masses huddling in ramshackle huts around the globe. We are the last beacon of light in a world of oppressors.

He opened his eyes and the flaming emotion of a true-believer burned within. "We will not surrender; we will remain vigilant in this test and come out stronger than ever! There will be those who oppose this transfer from stagnation to eternal prospering. For them I announce the formation of the Holy Inquisition, an internal organ of the Imperium designed to root out heretics, traitors, and those with malefic intent.

"The Imperial Cult, now renamed the Ecclesiarchy, is the sole religion permitted within our sovereign borders. All others are hereby outlawed; any found practicing will be charged by the Inquisition with heresy and subsequently sentenced."

The Imperator paused for breath before finishing. "These changes will be radical, but I have faith in the subjects of the Imperium. The Loyal Servant learns to Love The Lash. Only in Death Does Duty End. Our changes will force us to remain separate from the global community for some time, but we will return.

"As we go into The Long Night, remember us. Remember what we have done, what we will do. To survive is to endure and grow. And I assure you," he grinned savagely, "is most certainly prospering."

With that, the transmission ended in a gigantic symbol of the Imperium, the Double-Headed Eagle. Blaring music flared to life before fading into the background, and all was dark.

(OOC: I'm going to be inactive for a while, thought it might be cool to RP some reasons. )

[Subtleknifewielder]

OOC: Ok, come back when you can.

IC: These changes were viewed with alarm by any Promised Land citizens who viewed the transmissions. These were few, however, as not many citizens were abroad in the Northern Hemisphere at this time. No official statement was made.