Tashkeni
The Tashkeni Empire sprawls several worlds and comprise an alliance of many divergent interests. Some have classified it as a collection of power crazed humans, while others the best hope for Western ways. This is a nation that came from the grit of survivors, who had no choice but to make do in a new world. They made it, and in their triumph they recreated the greatest moments of Western History, as well as the saddest.
Ancient Greece and Rome are part of the political DNA of this nation. The nation started life modeled in the ancient Greek City States, including the Council of Five Hundred, known as the Aeropagos. These early Polis evolved from an ideal direct democracy, to a representative democracy, reflecting the needs of the people as well as population growth. When John Kean took over as a Tyrant, another aspect of western history repeated itself, and today the Empire is a fascist state, mixing the state and the corporation into one whole.
The last two years have seen amazing changes though.The stable system built by the Corporations and the Crown is on the edge of collapse. We have fought a civil war, and three Dukes are either dead or disgraced. Duke Perrin led the way, after his betrayal of January First 3500 was revealed. He was replaced by Jonas Heisenberg, who was made a Duke and is currently serving as the Chief of Naval Operations and the newly minted post of First Lord of the Admiralty. Duke Perrin was disgraced and serves a life sentence at Northumbria High Security Penal Facility. Paul Hallas died in an Honor Duel against Duke Aidan Malthus after he foolishly challenged the First Prince’s right to raise a commoner to the rank of Duke. His son Alessandro has since taken over the Hallas Fortune and is under state surveillance. Finally Duke Aidan Malthus replaced Deanna Katzenberg as head of the Katzenberg House. Deanna was implicated in the events of January 1st, and now lives outside our borders, waiting for a chance to get her revenge. Our intelligence Agencies are keeping an eye, hoping we don’t have to fight another civil war.
The Katzenberg Estate
New Washington
June 10th, 3502
When I see my children playing I realize what is at stake. Ilan and Rebecca have grown into two rambunctious toddlers who keep their mother busy at all times. She is also running the company since I have a campaign to plan and fight. Why they decided to make me a Fleet Admiral befuddles me, but I guess it makes sense. I am one who both sides trust. Yet the weight in my shoulders is immense, as well as the responsibility. I wish I could stay home, and watch my kids grow. Yet, if I don’t do what I’ve been asked, they won’t grow up. I know. At night when I close my eyes, I see cities in flames and billions of bodies stacked high. The smell is the worst.
The fleet is almost ready and the two Xerxes squadrons are ready to go. It took this long to refit those ships and train their crews, Admiral Noketsuma is in charge of them, and has Human Captains serving as advisors to Xerxes crews, which are greenhorns. The Confeds have sent an ad-hoc fleet, that is about half of their Confederation Naval Force and Ito was re-instituted into the Confederation Navy by President Xiang. I made him my Executive and if I should die, he is to take command of the fleet. He knows this, and realizes that his decisions in the first ten minutes will be critical if the fleet is to remain an allied force and not destroy each other.
Captured and bought technology has been put through its paces and I realize that the Tal are an even greater threat than we believed. If we do not win, we will die. I must say, the Astrac make me nervous. They are essentially Mercs, and though they understand what is at stake, if they should be offered enough gold by the Tal, I fear they will turn their guns on us. I have no choice but to trust them, as far as I can throw them, since I need their transport assets. Granted, after their mercs almost killed my liege, I don’t accept many of their excuses.
I have also received reports from Deep Space Exploration teams that they may have found a couple worlds for humanity to retreat to, if need be Granted, if it comes to that, who will play god and decide precisely who gets to go and who does not, I have no idea. After all, those who don’t live only have one thing in their future: Death. These are the visions I fear I see when I close my eyes. The enemy skulls scare accusingly at me, asking, bony mouths agape, why I failed. Michi says that I am having anxiety visions, but what if they are the real thing?