A new Government

[iamthey]

*Public*

H.M the King has issued a writ calling for a convention to draft a charter for the new parliamentary government. Local Baronies are to elect or otherwise designate representatives who will participate in this convention and bring forth the concerns of their communities.

*Private*

The evening following the investiture of Atrevier, the newly righted King, and his entourage privately dined at a restaurant named "Whitefall", among those invited were, Loraine, Devereaux, Crown, and Veranos. While the venue itself was accustom to servicing important clientèle, they seemed to be taken by surprise as half a dozen royal marines entered followed by the five guests. As one of the King's finely dressed attendents, gray suit, black and red tie and all negotiated with the conciser the man seemed transfixed on the octagonal lapel pins affixed to each of the guest's jackets. After missing the majority of the attendant's request, the conciser returned his attention to the man and nodded ushering the group to one of the empty dining halls at the back of the facility. Royal marines taking post at the entrance and likely patrolling the grounds outside, the group was seated and the King's staff proceeded act as waiter and liaison between the kitchen and the party. Staring for awhile at the center of the table, much the way someone who's mind is preoccupied with one matter in either the past or the future might, Ryn looked to Lawrence. "So Lawrence, you're really our guest here, where are you from, why are you here; you know what is your history?" He asked. After a moment Veranos responded

"Hmm, well I suppose my life is really lacking in the same exeptionalism each of yours has. Mother and Father both born on the pacific isles, both fanatically loyal to the IW regime and later its successor; I on the other hand came to recognize a certain blindness in them, and came to despise it. I suppose thats why I chose to create the coalition, oppose the triumvirate." Atrevier nodded at this.

"And the same reason I chose to defy the colonial regime of New Zealand."

"Yes. If there is one thing I have learned its that despite the rhetoric of each regime they are essentially the same." To this point Devereaux had remained silent, but hearing this and watching the King's more or less indifferent if not affirmative reactions to this he probed further into guest.

"So if you have faith in any regime, and posses such an innate cynicism why are you here? Muchless why did you participate in the cornoation, especially in the capacity that you did?" Turning, Veranos faced Deveraux, and the latter noted the emptiness of the man's gaze. The distinctly shape eyes he remembered now seemed to be glassed over.

"I don't know." He at first replied, considering it more. "I feel like there is something I want to say, but I can't remember what it is." His gaze diverted to Devereaux's lapel pin. The small fixture looked like a tiny sun, an explosion of red and white triangles stemming from the center and projecting outward to meet the edge. The King laughed.

"Must have been a lie then." Veranos burst out in laughter, while the rest of the group remained quite silent, but he seemed not to notice the awkwardness of the moment. "How could this be the revolutionary I had watched earlier? This man looks like either a bad sycophant... or just... drugged. Deveraux thought to himself. Interupting his train of thought Ryn continued. "Well, as for a more serious matter. As promised a convention will be held to discuss, and establish a charter for the new government, sadly absolutism won't satisfy the people here. While I have the final yay or nay on what is officially adopted, the content will be primarily introduced and discussed by the members of this convention. In addition to regional representatives, I will be appointing different people to this panel, each of you will be among that group of appointees. I feel you each have something diffrent to offer especially the two of you. He looked at both Veranos and Devereaux. You Mr. Devereaux for your experience as a statesman, and an outsider, and you Mr. Veranos for your shall we say unconventional perspective. That being said I hope you both will be pleased." Devereaux simply nodded while Veranos seemed to be unsure as to what he should say. Looking around the room he and then at the wine in his own glass he at last responded.

"Thank you sir." Devereaux again was some what surprised at the behavior he was witnessing. Lifting his own goblet which he had so far not touched, he sniffed it pretending to smell the vapors of the wine; it didn't smell that remarkable. Nonetheless to be safe he returned it to its spot. Still somewhat unnerved he excused himself and left the privacy of their suite for the restroom.

Edited October 4, 2009 by iamthey

[iamthey]

Returning to the Suite he found Atrevier was waiting for him outside the room. "Hey, Thomas; something came up."

"Yes?" Devereaux raised an eybrow. The prince put his arm on the Duke's shoulder and led him into one of the side rooms.

"A few minutes ago an attendant handed me this." He handed Devereaux a a manila folder. Opening it the former leader quickly skimmed the thin page before responding.

"So the Chinese want to commission an aircraft carrier, and some tech work?" Atrevier nodded.

"What do you suggest I do?" Devereaux considered the matter.

"Take advantage of the opportunity we already have an extensive knowledge of them, and its not like they can maintain it without our technical advice, so they don't pose a threat. As for finance, rather than levying a tax, open up credit with the Central Bank, finance it though your household use the same contractors, and pocket the profited difference. Do the same with their research requests, and any future weapons they need. You could actually make your monarchy quite financially formidable with the Profits from your Chartered Enterprises, and commissions." The young King considered this.

"Indeed, i'll have my Lord Treasurer, William make the arrangements." Devereaux nodded and they returned to the Suite.

Edited October 12, 2009 by iamthey

[iamthey]

Devereaux entered the convention hall followed closely by a crowd of delegates, many from his own duchy's baronies. The previous day he had solidified what he had planned for some time, the intrigue had been fairly straightforward and the nascent Pacifican Propaganda project set forth by the State's Office of Information had only aided in his cause. If he couldn't be King then he'd move to control the Monarchy's base in parliament. A week prior he had gathered the would be delegates and established what he called the Pacifican Nationalist Party (PNP), the would be party was established on a platform roughly similar to his own Central Governing Party's Neutral Pragmatism; an ideology of power which advocated a transcended third way political course. "The party," he wrote, "would work to transcend the partisanship of democracy, and move to centralize authority in the hands of an enlightened state which would from there conduct the affairs of society with the utmost care and precision consistent with the tenets of academic theory, and social science." His early move was to quickly rally the aristocracy, along with the academic and educated portion of the gentry behind his cause, which he had. And as the traditional ideological parties struggled to carve out portions of the population for themselves, his while a minority already controlled the wealthiest, and most powerful portions of society. Despite this immediate burst of regiment and organization he now stood at the apex at what would either be the second or perhaps most powerful post in the nation, or the shortest career as a party leader in history, all hinged on the result of the charter convention. As he and the entourage of nationalist delegates entered the hall the mild roar of conversation fell silent the group inwardly stared eyes meeting each of the PNP delegate's identical octagonal parasol lapel pins. Moving deeper into the hall the Nationalists dispersed and mixed among the other delegates as Devereaux took the podium before them. "Delegates of the Citadel, distinguished figures, Counselors of the Crown, we gather here today to begin work on what may be the greatest example of political success- or failure in our history. Each of you represents both the views of yourself and those of your constituencies, and there will not at any time be uniform agreement; I will simply say, the only way we are going to get through the week is together that in mind let us begin."

[iamthey]

As planned the drafting of the charter would begin in twelve small committees each divided along similar ideological lines, though as the Nationalist straddled both the left and right wing parties present, they had delegates in all groups. Each delegate had studied their fellow committee members and each had been coached on what exactly would appeal to each line of thought. Some of the more prominent committee members even had been investigated as to find whatever hidden agendas the Nationalist cabal could appeal to. In Devereaux's mind there was only one ultimate result he wanted to see come out of this convention, an absolute state without any legal limitations, an empowered executive, and a weak Monarch. Despite this underlying wish in the Nationalists, for now, would play the role of Monarchist, advocating an empowered monarchy and from there catering to their respective committees to provoke chaos and belligerence in later committees. In the end the diametrically opposed measures would be so far separated that only the Nationalist version of the Charter would satisfy all sides. Sitting amongst his own committee Devereaux sat silently as one of the conservatives spoke on the present economic system and the need to return to a traditional free market. As he concluded Devereaux stood and glanced at the small audience before him... "Representative you speak of Capitalism, and our stray from it as if what we have here and now is a regression from truth rather than a progression towards it. I've read your bio, you were born here not thirty years ago during the prime of the GA government, and the system we live under now has quite clearly served you well. No in fact if memory continues to serve me the only, and will say that again only experience any of us have with Capitalism and its mediocrity is under the profiteering reign of the Capitalist state New Zealand. And I will remind you as it seems you do not remember that during that reign they not only pillaged our economic system, they decimated our military, our navy, and many other advancements made under the past regime. If anything this society, we, owe our blessings to the enlightenment of the third way. Now I will agree, pure socialism would be a mistake on our part, but so is pure capitalism; what we have here now... works; and until it fails I will withdraw support for any proposal to change it--" Speaking out of turn that representative interjected.

"No you Mr. Devereaux, the Foreigner, seem to forget the horrors of Imperial Wellington; no one here seems to want to mention it however I will. It was bloody, it was wrong, and it was socialist. I will be damned if I see us return to that." The room was silent,

"Whatever stories you have heard about both my nationality, and past occupying regimes my conservative opponent, they do not reflect the historical record."

"The trials?" He pushed. At that point another nationalist mumbled.

"Lies" The conservative pushed.

"Oh reall--"

"Enough, we are here to discuss the Charter, and the future of this nation." He inwardly smiled as he made a mental note of the outspoken Representative. He'd revisit him soon enough. The rest of the group nodded as the took his seat.

Edited October 13, 2009 by iamthey

[iamthey]

The Charter convention had gone on for about three months, and was now was in its final General Committee during which the entire delegation would debate, and at last adopt an official charter. As he had planned the two charters emerging from the two semi-final committees were radically different, and and nearly diametrically opposed. Thomas smiled as he watched the two sides of the General Committee devolve into another slurry of personal insults, and demagoguery. His own nationalists under his instruction fell in with the other two parties, and served as vocal supporters of both sides, intensifying, and polarizing the two sides. Having declared free speech within the delegation itself, one member walked forward and proceeded to push another causing him to trip backward into his fellow delegates. Enraged another threw a first in response, provoking more and more reactions. As the group became more and more out of control, Devereaux waited a few seconds before hitting the personal distress key on his phone. Within moments he could hear the sound of helicopters outside the building, and soon after a flurry of red berets burst into the hall creating a perimeter around the room each with their rifles raised and pointing inward at the crowd. Stepping up onto the nearest table, Devereaux raised his personal side arm and let off two shots into the air. The room fell silent, each member turned their attention to Devereaux.

"You as a body should be ashamed of yourselves, you come here pretending to do the people's work and instead you only bicker. Your disagreement without hope of compromise has devolved into little more than a juvenile fist fight." He paused, "I wash my hands of you; I am off to do the work of the nation. Those of you who wish to join me may do so; those who do not, feel free to continue with your madness." Stepping down he left the room, leaving in his wake a silent and some what confused crowd. The nationalists as had been instructed followed Devereaux provoking a majority of the rest to also leave. Still smiling inwardly to himself, he felt somewhat gratified, his plan had worked; he now held the ear of the crowd, and the radicals of the opposition had been purged.

[iamthey]

The purged delegation gathered in a similar chamber across from the last. Taking the podium before the group Devereaux spoke. "Delegates, debate is over; you can either vote with us or take your leave. It is clear that the conservatives and socialists here will not entirely get their way, nor will we see a fully absolute monarchy, thus there will need to be fair compromise on all three sides. You are each holding my proposition, take it or leave it." The group took a moment to one last time skim through the short four page document. After a moment of silence no one left. Noting this Devereaux asked, "All in favor?"

[iamthey]

In a formal signing ceremony today the following parliamentary charter was signed by the King, and codified as the first law of the new Government.

Articles of Order: Charter of Parliament

As per Royal Decree the following articles are issued.

Section A: Parliament

Article I: Authority & Responsibility

The powers and authority to legislate shall be by this Royal Decree transferred from the King to the body of Parliament. The body itself will have the full scope and range of powers afforded to the King with respect for legislative action; they shall as a body be charged with the same obligations to the people which are relevant to law making as those held by the King.

Article II: Powers of Parliament

As a body all parliamentary decisions are decided by at least a fifty percent plus one majority. Any majority meeting these minimum requirements may utilize the following powers.

1) Parliament has the power to levy taxes.

2) Parliament may issue and create both private and public law to which the judiciary in its execution of the civil code will be bound.

4) Parliament has the power to initiate projects & programs.

5) Parliament may advise the King.

6) Parliament may make its own rules and procedure.

7) Parliament may differ its authority to lower bodies.

8) The Parliament may issue nonbinding resolutions of no-confidence.

9) The Parliament may overturn its own acts, or Royal Writ’s of the King.

Article III: Selection

Each barony shall by fair democratic election select and send forth an individual to represent them in Parliament. All Citizens of the Realm who are of legal age (here defined as twenty years old) or determined to be a competent elector may vote regardless of gender, race, or class.

In order to be an eligible candidate for parliamentary membership one must be at least twenty five years of age, and a full citizen of the Realm. There are no term limits, and the maximum time between elections is limited to ten years.

Section B: The Executive

Article I: Duty

The Executive shall bear the obligations and duties of the King which are not delegated to parliament. The Chief Executive of the realm shall be the Monarchy which shall act by Royal Prerogative.

Article II: Royal Prerogative

The following are a list of powers rights retained by the king.

1) The King may dissolve parliament, and call for an election at any point.

2) The King may grant Royal Assent to Acts of Parliament.

3) The King may legislate by Royal Writ

4) The King may propose Acts to Parliament.

5) The King may act as speaker and presiding officer of Parliament.

6) The King may Pardon Convicted criminals or reduce sentences issued.

7) The King may create new civil law courts, and appoint Civil Magistrates to preside over them. Such civil courts are bound to the public and private law issued in Parliament. The King may intervene or review cases of the civil law courts if appealed to. The King’s court is the Highest.

8) The King is responsible for the creation, direction and management of the National Bureaucracy, and has any and all powers needed to do so. He has the power to direct monetary policy, he may appoint and dismiss civil servants as they are under the executive branch. The King may further appoint royal commissions and officers for any purpose. The King may differ decision making authority to lower offices and jurisdictions. Finally the King may appoint, or dismiss a High Magistrate.

9) The King may grant Charters of Incorporation in order to create private or public intuitions/entities. The king may also revoke such Charters at any point unless otherwise specified.

10) The King is the Head of State, thus he may declare war, and make peace.

11) The King is Commander in Chief of the Armed forces under the Crown.

12) The King may draft individual into military service, nationalize private military forces, as well as organize and deploy the Military.

13) The King may declare a state of Emergency & suspend the rule of law.

14) The King retains all powers over the Aristocracy.

15) The King has the power to distribute and issue honors.

Article III: High Magistrate

The High Magistrate is a representative of the Monarchy and functions the political head of the Executive branch. Selection of the Magistrate is by monarchal appointment. The High Magistrate has the power to advise the King on the use of Royal Prerogative, as well as represent the interests of the King to the Cabinet, Royal Council and Parliament. During the tenure of a Magistrate the King’s prerogative is exercised by the Magistrate and King’s power over the actual functions of the state is limited to the three fold power to warn, to advise, and to be consulted. Whether or not the office of magistrate is occupied is dependent on the wishes of the King.

Section C Oath

Article I:

The following is the oath required to be taken by every Parliamentary Member, as well as the High Magistrate before taking office.

"I... swear by his grace and the people of the realm, that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Ryn Atrevier, his heirs and successors, according to law. So help me God."

Signature:

H.M the King, Ryn Atrevier:

Rex Pacifica