Rule Britannia

Chapter: 1: The Rise of an Empire

In the 17th century Emperor Columbus Bryce the 1st, signed quite possibly the most important document in human history, the Declaration of Unification, which was the agreement between Britain and all her colonies that free trade, education, healthcare and resources would be shared equally among the citizens of the world. During the founding of the Empire, Britain had signed many alliance pacts with most of the countries around the world which eventually led to the inevitable annexation of the countries into Britain.

Although these countries became part of the Empire, the Emperor agreed that all annexed countries would have all the same customs and cultures they previously had but would however have to accept British laws, and the wealth and resources of that country would go to the betterment of all countries within the Empire. In addition, the countries existing armed forces would be integrated into the British armed forces.

Therefore, with many countries around the world seeing the benefits of being partnered to Britain, they decided to do the same. This was the founding of the colonies, which incorporated large portions of the world into a single region governed by a Regency Council which was made up by the rulers of all countries in the colony, meaning that each country had their say, but of course for order to maintained, a British ambassador would be present at each Regency Council session, to hear all the issues within that colony and tell it of Britain's views.

Of course before any of this modern-day Empire was formed there were the years before which consisted of many bloody and vicious wars that had divided Europe and Africa as European powers fought for control of the slave trade and valuable natural resources. With Britain and France engaged in a war that would last 100 years, hence the '100 years' war' Britain's newly formed intelligence division consisting of hundreds of men and women from all corners of Europe that had pledged allegiance to Britain, learned of France's intention for Africa and the other European countries. Britain went on a full offensive war to protect those who would otherwise be defenceless.

With the war coming to a close, with France's military in shambles and losing territory to Britain everyday, France signed over its remaining land and colonies to British control and submitted to all demands made. With Britain's only major rival out of the picture, Britain shut down the slave trade and began to open new lands for those who had been kept as property. Those who had been freed by Britain pledged to serve and repay Britain anyway they could, this was when the Empire started to take shape. As Africa started to build vigorously with the aid of their British allies, stabilized the country and became the first true colony of Britain.

Over the next two centuries Britain increased its European territory as it systematically conquered all the slaver nations and warlike states and instilled new governments that would swear fealty to Britain and would be from now on be considered British territory. With Europe under British control due to far too many unwanted wars. Britain decided to refrain from war unless absolutely necessary.

With the Americas being colonised and the same with Australia and the pacific islands, Britain now had large areas of land that where too much for one country to govern, so like Africa the Emperor signed away much his overseas territory to colonial councils. With these new colonies in place and squaring off against their fellows, the Emperor decided that to maintain the peace amongst the peoples of the world with the Declaration of Unification. It was sent to all colonial councils for review, within two years all colonies had agreed to the bill and signed it, effectively creating the British Commonwealth Alliance or BCA.

Now 100 years after the signing of the DoU I, Gregory Bryce, was born straight onto the international stage, from day one a lot was of expected from me. And that all began with upbringing. Being the heir to largest and most powerful Empire on the face of the Earth I was raised with the utmost care and attention and given the world's best education.

Therefore, that meant private schools, so for the after my third birthday I was sent to Blackheath Prep, and then after that I were sent to Winchester College, but due to my success at both schools I graduated at sixteen, and from there I joined the Royal Air force and worked my way through the ranks to reach the rank of fighter pilot, although with no wars or border conflicts to oversee the worlds military was slowly being disbanded but I didn't care for that, I just loved to fly.

At the turn of the new Millennium my father Emperor Columbus Bryce the 2nd, decreed that Britain was to start a new age of peace and discovery with our overseas colonies. This new venture was in part due to India, the Empires most influential and wealthy sub-colony, when their own Government had proposed that a space program would benefit the human race, so my father agreed and immediately started funding the new Commonwealth Alliance Space Program or CASP for short. Over the next decade CASP made great advances into science and technology by 2010 The Commonwealth space station was fully self-sufficient and was the size of a football pitch with a permanent crew of twenty.

It conducted research on everything from artificial gravity to cleaner energy generation. It was not until 2014 eight years after I had joined the Royal Air Force that my senior officer took me aside and told me that the CASP director had requested that I become the captain of the newly christened HMS Britannia on her maiden voyage to Mar, of course I accepted without hesitation.

Nevertheless with my responsibilities to the RAF I had to finish my term of service before I could act in any of the roles, however on my birthday my parents arrived unannounced, at the air force base where I was stationed. Of course I had to greet them with the senior officers of the base. After rushing to scrub up and dress in my Imperial dress uniform I went to greet them.

After the usual lengthy introduction I escorted them to one of my CO's private quarters to have privacy. It turned out that they had heard of my recommendation to pilot the Britannia and had 'requested' that I be allowed at once to leave for the CASP HQ in America and begin my training, there are perks to being royalty.

After a year I was fully trained and awaiting final clearance to be commissioned as a CASP astronaut. It took mountains of paperwork to get through before I could be cleared for active duty. Thankfully due to the importance of the mission the paperwork was 'finished' in just two weeks, now I could officially take command of the ship and await the launch date.

That came around remarkably fast and before I knew it was about four hours before I needed to suit up and get into the ship for pre-launch startup. When the crew and I were ready to leave the conference room my father walked in, everyone stood and bowed but my father smiled and said it was unnecessary on such a momentous day. Once everyone stood straight once more my father moved along the line of technicians and operation staff shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries. When he reached the other astronauts he took special care to greet them all by name and joked with all before wishing them luck and moving on.

Amongst my crew were, two Americans, myself, one Indian and a South African. We had been handpicked for our skills. But of course there were many people in the press had suggested I was selected to lead the mission because of my status as Prince. But I was employed on merit not because of my status. I showed my father the prototype ship we had trained in, he listened attentively and when we were alone, he hugged me and said how proud he was of me and that he would be the first to greet me when we returned home in 2 years' time.