Three months flew by unnoticed. I thought being the head of state was damn difficult. Now I know it the hard way. Constant speeches to trade unions, corporate unions, banking associations, speeches in parliament and at universities, giving interviews to both domestic and foreign media. Almost daily meetings, consultations, receptions. At some point, I just wanted to close myself in the palace and not leave it, giving the ministers the opportunity to solve problems, who even managed to breathe freely from the moment I took up work, but I diligently drove such thoughts away from myself. As soon as my physical and emotional stress reaches its peak, I come here and admire the masterpieces that my ancestors have collected for centuries. I could relax in these halls for hours without thinking about anything.
In this turmoil, I would not have coped without my adjutant, who is at the head of a whole platoon of secretaries, whom Yudov, Ilya Viktorovich Manov, a twenty-five-year-old captain-lieutenant of the MSF RE, "gave" me. Responsible, smart, punchy — the guy is what you need.
Lost in my thoughts, I did not immediately notice that I was not alone.
— Ahem, ahem. — Attracted the attention of the Yudov.
— Alexey Olegovich, has something happened?
— Nothing urgent, Sire, I just decided to share some news.
Yudov turned his gaze to the painting.
— Tristan and Isolde, if I remember correctly. I remember in childhood and youth you were in love with the beautiful image of Isolde.
— Was there? I'm still in love.
— Your Imperial Majesty, — Alexey Olegovich turned a dumbfounded look at me, — don't make me worry about the future of the empire, we need an heir.
And we laughed together. Yudov, like no one else, can cheer up, but after a moment the former adjutant of his father became serious.
— We have noticed a ferment among corporate leaders, so far only loud words in internecine meetings, but the movement is slowly but surely gaining momentum. They declare a desire to weaken and limit the imperial power, and even better to eliminate it. We haven't been able to figure out the initiators yet, but we're working on it.
— What caused such a reaction?
— the death of your father. Corporations were afraid of Vladimir II, with his death many corporate leaders were inspired, and believe that now is the best time for "reforms".
— As history has repeatedly shown, the internal enemy is a hundred times more dangerous than the external one. Focus all the necessary resources to solve this problem.
— It will be done, Sire. Also, Yakov Solomonovich and the economic bloc are interested in what is your decision on the proposed economic projects.
— I will announce my decision after the coronation.
Economy. It's never easy with her. The country is slowly but surely moving towards an overproduction crisis, a maximum of a year and the crisis will enter an acute phase. Economists have prepared three plans to prevent the crisis. The first is to artificially stimulate demand. This means introducing a negative interest rate on loans, but this can lead to the emergence of financial bubbles and will only delay the crisis. The second plan is economic expansion into the central, well-developed, worlds of humanity. This will give a breath of fresh air to the economy, but the markets on these planets have long been divided, which can lead to a serious aggravation in relations with other human states. And the third plan, which pushes to intensify economic expansion into the Attic Traverse and the Terminus System, it will bring more profit and conflicts with other human states are not expected, but the risk is not less. The Attic traverse is in the area of interests of the Citadel's largest corporations, and the Terminus System is under the control of Omega pirates and the Batarian Hegemony. And I can't decide which way to go yet.
— Is there any more news?
— Yes, the Secretary General of the Alliance is asking for a personal audience with you.
— Hackett? — Interest immediately flared up, after all, one of the main characters in the future. — What does he want to discuss?
— He doesn't report, but I think it's worth at least listening to him.
— That's what we'll do, appoint him after the celebrations.
— It will be done.
The great hall was in semi-darkness, and the only source of illumination was a star that turned purple behind a large panoramic window. There were two people in the hall. A man whose age had passed forty years, sitting in an armchair and sipping whiskey, and a dazzlingly beautiful girl who stood right by the window and watched the thermonuclear reaction taking place on the surface of the star.
— The risk is too great, Cerberus is not yet ready for confrontation with the whole state.
— Miranda, I'm not going to openly fight with anyone. The Russians will do everything themselves. They had been preparing for this for a long time, and the death of the old emperor gave them a chance to succeed. We will simply help them with personnel, and as a result we will get access to the most powerful industry in the Alliance.
— I doubt the effectiveness of the plan, there are too many "ifs".
— The plan was developed by the best analysts of Cerberus, it is variable, and I have no doubt of its success, among the conspirators there are enough not only politicians and entrepreneurs, but also the military. Together we will succeed.
— But if the plan fails, then a deadly threat will hang over the whole of Cerberus!
— Don't worry, I have foreseen such a turn of events. The ends will be cut and cauterized quickly and efficiently.
There was a pause for a short time, during which the atmosphere lost some tension, so that the conversation could be continued calmly without being distracted by arguments.
— It's a pity I won't be able to participate in this.
— I'm sorry, but you are too important an employee, and you will be more useful in other areas.
— I understand.
— Great, and now I want to hear a report about the Lazarus project.
— It's a start.
Sixty-kilogram imperial porphyry literally presses me into the floor. A few moments remain, and the gilded doors will open, opening a direct path to the throne. I am wearing a uniform made of cloth with a white edging, a red collar and cuffs, on which gilded threads are embroidered with a pattern complex in composition and virtuoso in technique, distinguishing the shape of the Preobrazhensky regiment. The uniform is decorated with epaulettes with my personal monogram and gilded aiguillettes.
The doors opened noiselessly and I entered the hall. With my head held high, I walked along the red carpet, on both sides of which, every five steps, there were palace grenadiers with ceremonial weapons. At that moment, Glinka's song "Glory" began to play in the hall:
Glory, glory, our Russian Tsar!
God has given us the Tsar-Emperor!
Let it be your immortal royal family,
Yes they thrives Russian people.
The hall was full of both humans and xenos. At the very beginning of the hall there were deputies, artists, ordinary citizens who had accomplished many feats in civilian life or achieved outstanding success in their profession.
Glory, glory to you, my Rus',
Glory, you are our Russian Land.
Let it be forever strong
Our beloved home country.
Then came the motley uniforms of distinguished junior and middle officers from all branches of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies.
Glory, glory, from generation to generation,
Be glorious, our Great Russian People.
Enemies who have encroached our native land,
Strike down mercilessly with a mighty hand.
Heavy artillery followed — generals and admirals, military veterans. All hung with well-deserved awards and orders.
Glory, glory, native Moscow
Our Motherland, the country head.
Live, elevates us to the joy
Fortunately for people, enemies to the death.
After the generals come diplomats, representatives of human states and the Alliance, Asari, Turians, Salarians. Also in colorful and pretentious outfits, and azari — also in seductive ones.
Glory, glory, heroes soldiers,
To brave sons of our Motherland.
Those who will shed the blood for their Motherland,
The people will never forget them.
Last comes the elite and the family. Ministers and governors in ceremonial uniforms, because even civilian ministers have an approved ceremonial uniform, imperial judges, religious figures of various faiths.
Glory, glory, rattling Moscow!
Celebrate a day of celebration of the Emperor,
Sing, cheerful, your TSAR coming!
Tsar-Emperor greets people.
Glory, glory, our Tsar!
Glory, glory, native land!
Glory to the heroes of Holy Russia!
HOORAY! HOORAY! HOORAY!
At the throne, I am met by the Ecumenical Patriarch (with active space exploration, this title has become more relevant than ever) Alexy IV with his retinue, holding a pillow on which a Large Imperial Crown rested, and the chairman of the Imperial Constitutional Court with the coronation Constitution. Climbing the steps to the throne, I turned to face the hall. The second phase of the coronation has begun.
The chairman of the court was the first to approach me, putting his right hand on the Constitution, I began to say the oath I had learned by heart.
— I, the All-Russian Emperor Alexander V, swear to respect and protect the rights and freedoms of my subjects, to observe and defend the Constitution of the Russian Empire, to protect the sovereignty and independence, security and integrity of the state.
The Patriarch took the place of the chairman of the court, loudly reciting a prayer and handing me the crown. I, trying not to let my hands shake, put a two-kilogram crown on my head. Next, the Patriarch handed me a second pillow, on which lay a scepter and a orb, apparently handed over to him from the retinue. Taking them in my hands, I looked around the hall, and taking a deep breath, I began to push the throne speech.
— My loyal subjects, dear friends and guests. I am fully aware of all the responsibility that falls on my shoulders. Above all for me, the welfare and safety of the subjects of the empire, I consider the meaning of my whole life and my duty to serve the Fatherland and my people, whose sincere love and support inspires and supports in the most difficult times. We have everything for continuous development forward, a strong economic and social base, an active civil society, an effective state apparatus. Today we are entering a new stage of national development, we have to solve tasks of a fundamentally different level, of a different quality and scale. The coming years will be decisive for the fate of Russia. The life of future generations, the historical perspective of our state and our nation depends on us. We will succeed if we continue to rely on the thousand-year history of our state, on those values that have always formed the moral basis of our multinational people. If each of us will live according to our conscience with faith and love for the Motherland, for our loved ones, take care of the happiness of our children and the well-being of our parents. We will continue to be faithful to the idea of building an open monarchical state, where everyone can equally develop their talents and work freely. The Russian Empire remains a loyal friend and ally, a reliable and predictable partner. I believe in our common desire for freedom, truth, justice. We are ready for the trials to come, and for the achievements to come. Russia has a great history and an equally great future. And we will work with faith in our soul, with sincere and pure thoughts.
Note: I am not the author of this story, it is Mr. Eugene. This is a translation
