EMPEROR SHOT, IS PRONOUNCED DEAD!
Richmond, Virginia Robert J. Lee II, King of Virginia and Emperor of the Virginian Empire was shot and killed today outside the Royal Palace in Richmond, where he was delivering a speech on the eve of Independence Day. Four shots were reportedly fired, two hitting their mark, and one finding its place in the head of our Emperor. Robert was pronounced dead just a few moments later, Chancellor Madson assumed emergency Imperial responsibilities.
Robert leaves behind a very distinguished legacy, matching or exceeding that of his grandfather, Robert the Great, who established most of modern Virginia. Robert II, or Robert the Reformer as he is known throughout the Empire, is most notably known for the various reforms he brought about that modernized Virginia, leading towards the prosperity we enjoy today. His many accomplishments includes emancipation, the annexation of Miami, the Appalachian Railroad Project, the Nicaraguan Canal, the UNSA, and last but not least the creation of Virginias first constitution and the establishment of the National Legislature.
The assailant was caught hours after the shots were fired in his small bedroom in the Hartland district of Richmond. His name was Running with Tears, a savage of the Sauk tribe. The few sentences he muttered before jumping out his sixth-story window pertained to his communist beliefs as well as the honor of the Sauk Nation, which was damaged during the Fox-Sauk War, of which Robert II played an integral part when he asserted pressure upon the Sauk and built a coalition to oppose Sauk annexation of Fox.
Robert left only a wife, no son or close relative is alive.
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Shut the door, Colonel Rogsby demanded as Chancellor Madson entered the room. The Imperial throne, what was once the royal thrown of the Virginian monarchy, formed the centerpiece of the room, hoisted nearly five feet off the floor upon marble slabs and draped in purple velvet and silk. The chair looked as if it hadnt been used in fifty years. A soft ray of sunlight penetrated from an open window on the far side of the room, revealing the dusty stale air and slightly illuminating the Imperial Crest that sit embedded in stone at the foot of the throne. Off to the left a dozen or so old men sat at a dull oak table, each of them a cigar in their mouth, some of them quietly whispering to their neighbor. The Colonel was the only man standing, but as soon as Madson had proceeded towards them he took his chair between two men with unfashionably large mustaches. The room reeked of cigar smoke and old wood.
Am I correct in assuming that you have been informed of the situation, Chancellor? Rogsby asked, glancing at a few papers in front of him. He was a shorter man, perhaps not yet fifty years of age, who had gone bald but made up for the missing hair with a full mustache and beard that gave him an aura of wisdom that Madson knew first hand was over exaggerated.
If you mean to inform me of the Emperors death, you are wasting my time, Colonel. Madson knew there was something else to be said, inferable by the number of important faces at the table, but felt he had to establish himself the dominate one in the room by talking condescendingly.
Of course, Chancellor, but that is not why we have called this meeting. Chancellor, have you given thought as to who is to fill old Roberts throne?
Michael Lee is the obvious man. Madson had finally made it to the table and took his seat at the head.
Pardon me, sir, but Michael is not to be found. Some say he fled when he found out of his uncles demise.
Shocked, Madson took a minute to think. Then his second cousin, what was his name? Jeffrey? The one living out in Kentucky.
Sir, Jeffrey Lee is nearly eighty-five. Embarrassed, the Chancellor continued to rack his brain for the descendents in the House of Lee.
Paul? Or his younger brother, Dennis? They were two second-nephews of Robert II who were very often overlooked as being part of the House of Lee because of their fathers incident regarding New York and a very prominent gentlemens club.
Both have declined to take the throne. Chancellor, there is no one who is fit, or willing, to take the throne. That is, except for one man.
Madson again racked his brain. Who was it that he was forgetting? Being a family friend for nearly three decades, he was surprised there was a man he had missed. Who, Colonel, have I forgotten?
He was known as Billy to Robert. Others would know him as King William V of the Netherlands. Chancellor Madsons mouth dropped. The Colonel continued, Sir Chancellor, the next in line for the throne of Virginia is none other than the King of the Dutch, son of Gloria Lee, Roberts uncle.
Standing up, Charles Madson began to raise his voice. Thats preposterous! I, no, the People, will not stand for a Dutchman as Emperor! Has this room gone mad? Have all you men gone mad!? Madson was yelling now, but the rest of the room remained calm. Realizing his temper, Madson calmed down, and lit himself a cigar that he pulled from his coat pocket. Cuban, his favorite, yet he hoped no one would notice he was smoking a non-Virginian cigar.
Chancellor, I assure you, none of us wants to see a Dutchman on the throne neither. There is no tradition, though, for a transfer of power in this Empire. Traditionally a family member was accepted as heir. Chancellor, we here believe it is within your power to appoint a man to be Emperor. Madson took a step back and inhaled deeply.
I dont know how to start to pick a man for such a role. And no doubt the Legislature would have to approve to make it legitimate to the people. Are we seriously talking about ending the House of Lee? The colonel, along with three other men sitting at the table, got up to approach Madson privately. These men were representatives from both the Houses of the legislature.
Chancellor, may I introduce to you Henry Rockefeller II. Wide-eyed, Madson offered his hand, which was received warmly yet firmly, along with an intense stare that was both frightful yet reassuring to Madson. Im sure you know of Henry, the Colonel went on, he is the newest Virginian idol, a symbol of a poorman making it big in this Empire. His vast wealth in the booming Ohioan oil trade has strengthened his relatives and his own power. He also comes with the rank of Master Sergeant, having fought bravely in the Miami war as well as a volunteer fighting alongside the New Englanders against the Quebecois. He is a unifier, a symbol of the working man, as well as a man of wealth, experience, and popularity.
Chancellor, we have a rare opportunity today. We have the chance to start a new House, a new lineage that can bring greatness and honor to Virginia. We have a chance to make history.
HENRY ROCKEFELLER II INAUGERATED AS EMPEROR, KEEPS CHANCELLOR MADSON!
Richmond, Virginia With the death of Robert the Reformer nearly two weeks ago, the Empire has been in a state of confusion, mourning, and vulnerability. Thousands of clamored for the position of Emperor as it was soon known that the closest and only heir to the House of Lee would be William V of Holland, something the Chancellor as well as the Legislature have vehemently opposed. In a meeting behind closed doors and made up of men from all branches of power and prestige, it was decided that the House of Lee was over, and a new age of Virginia would begin.
Henry comes from a well-to-do Ohioan family that traces its origins back to the Great Migration of Virginians over the Appalachians and into the Ohio Valley early in the previous century. His descendents fought on the Virginian side during the War of the Second Union, and have been anything from bankers to farmers to miners throughout the 19th century. Recently Henry Rockefeller I began to change the social standing of his family by striking it rich in the oil fields of the Ohio Valley and carving for himself a modest company, American Oil, that now is the largest oil extraction company east of the Mississippi. His son brings with him extreme popularity for his rise to wealth, his extensive philanthropy, and his charming ways and talents as an orator. Henry II is seen by many to be a unifier of the Empire, a peoples Emperor and a dream-come-true for the Legislature as he is a staunch constitutionalist and nationalist.
Upon assuming the throne yesterday, Henry has come out with a myriad of policy changes that have successfully ended the rule of Lee. He has personally reviewed all of Virginians foreign relations, re-assessed her position in Colombia, and examined the Ottoman War. Also with the new Emperor one can expect a new attitude towards the oil industry, as well as the economy as a whole as the Emperor begins to make Virginia more business-friendly.
Henry comes from a large family of three brothers, five sons, and six daughters. He is 38.
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To UNSA
From Emperor Henry Rockefeller II of Virginia
As I have assumed power after the unfortunate demise of my predecessor, I have reviewed the many treaties he has signed. I have found that the UNSA continues to benefit Virginia and North America as a whole, and I wish to re-commit Virginia to this alliance.
To the Netherlands
From Emperor Henry Rockefeller II of Virginia
The House of Lee regarded the Netherlands as Virginias closest ally and friend, citing a history of cooperation that stretches back to Robert the Great. However, as the world is modernizing and changing, and as royal marital lines are severed between our two nations, I have begun to see Virginias priorities more clearly. The Ottoman War has consumed many lives of young Virginian boys, with little to show for them. And as I have understood it, Robert was sending Virginian troops on the offensive into the Ottoman Empire more as a favor than anything else.
I, on the other hand, do not see that Virginia owes any favors to Holland. While I maintain respect for the Dutch and your Empire, no longer will Virginian troops die for a cause from which their country does not benefit. I would not run my company this way, and I sure wont run my Empire this way. I believe it is time to re-assess our goals in this war. I do expect, for Virginia to continue to cooperate, that Virginia benefits in some way.
To Colombia
From Emperor Henry Rockefeller II of Virginia
We wish to speak about peace.
Tennessee
From Emperor Henry Rockefeller II of Virginia
Our defensive pact has served as well in the past. We wish to re-sign this agreement.
To Texas
From Emperor Henry Rockefeller II of Virginia
The future of both our nations is tied to the future of the Americas as a whole. I wish to resign our defensive pact to insure peace in our hemisphere.
To Algonquin
From Emperor Henry Rockefeller II of Virginia
A Sauk was the man who killed Robert II. We will be investigating this case further.
