The American Empire
Tell me more, Daddy! the little girl cried. She hugged her father tightly. The powerful, muscular man stroked his beard with a free hand, smiling at his only child.
Of course, Tay, he said. Did Mr. Murphys lessons not satisfy your curiosity?
The six-year-old girl shook her head impishly. In another ten years or so, shed be old enough for anti-aging treatments. Her father, though physically in his prime, was nearly eighty.
Mr. Murphys boring, she said. I dont like him.
The man laughed. Of course, child. I forgot your distaste for a classroom even a small one such as Mr. Murphys!
The man leaned back in his chair. Now lets see. Where shall I begin?
From the beginning, of course, Taylor chastised. Her father laughed again, his voice loud and powerful as always.
Of course. Lets see. At the start, there was the Dark Age of chaos no one knows all the terrible, terrible things that were done in that era, but they were dark indeed, and savage. Times best left to memory by civilized men, to be written of in books but never relived.
But out of the darkness came the glorious King William, forging the Kingdom of New England. No one knows why he called it that, but, well thats lost to history. William established a Kingdom of the People, wherein every citizen had a vote in important issues, and could elect representatives to speak for their interests. When the dust settled, New England was a wonderful, elegant place ruled by Williams ancestors. For a hundred years New England stood, but it was not to last.
People in New England, upset with the perceived inaction of their government, began first protesting the slow, lethargic action and lack of direction from their capital in the fabled city of Philadelphia. After that, civil war erupted between factions on several sides of the dispute, each thinking themselves better suited to rule this land of the free. In the process, much was discovered of the Ancient Americans who predate us, and even the civilizations that flourished here after their fall, and their contact with other global powers.
When this war ended, seventy years ago, I was but a lad. Emperor Rafael, my father, agreed with all his advisers on one thing: this electoral process had been the bringer of strife to New England. Perhaps it is not unbridled evil, but the people are truly not ready for their share of voice in the government of the Empire. Thus, the City of Kings in Philadelphia was renamed Imperium, and the American Empire was established to rule the north!
Tell me more! Taylor squeaked. About you, daddy! Your campaigns against the Northern wildmen, or the southerners! Your meeting with the swampland folk!
They dont call themselves that, Tay, the Emperor of America chastised. Youll be Empress someday the first woman ever to rule the Empire! Its an enormous responsibility.
The little blonde girl grinned happily. Ill do it just like you, Daddy, she said. Every day!
I know you will, the Emperor said. He ruffled his daughters hair. I know you will.
-L
