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It was a gradual process, destined to happen eventually. Life in the Libera Respvblica of Novvs Atlantis was great. Too great. The economy thrived; citizens of Novvs Atlantis earned more than any other nation's citizens and could afford more luxuries.

Education was at its peak. People from across Atlantian Oceania flocked to Nova Roma to study at the renowned Ludus Magna. Novvs Atlantian architects, scientists, engineers, professors, lawyers, surgeons, etc. All were hired by various nations to perform what their own citizens could not.

The military controlled much of the Inner Cove area of Atlantian Oceania. The Lucifer system kept any nations at bay and the legions maintained peace and prosperity throughout the nation and in the surrounding area.

Freedom was at its greatest height as well. Citizens could vote on anything from what font would be used in the next law to what nation fruit would be imported from.

It was easy to see that Novvs Atlantis was the most prosperous of all nations in Atlantian Oceania. However, that prosperity came at a cost of corruption. Senators soon started looking out not for their people, but for themselves. Morals and values were washed away by the influx of wealth and the gap between rich and poor widened exponentially.

Riots occurred daily, welfare spending increased, taxes rose, corruption increased, values disappeared, and piracy disrupted trade; on the outside, however, it appeared that Novvs Atlantis was just as prosperous as ever. Unfortunately, it was clear something was wrong when the Imperator announced a policy of isolation.

It was his plan to bring about a great change to Novvs Atlantis. He saw it when he first took office. Hell, he saw it when he turned 12; the Republic was, at best, an ineffective way of controlling the masses. He knew it would happen; the Republic would rise to a height of untold greatness, and then implode on itself.

But, he had a plan. His first step was to get Novvs Atlantis out of Atlantian Oceania affairs. A war would ruin his restoration, so he convened with the Senate and convinced them that isolation would increase wealth; obviously, it worked.

Secondly, he had to get rid of the Republic. He admired the way Augustus dealt with his Republic, letting it remain, if only to give the people the illusion of freedom. In this case, however, the Senators had gotten out of hand. The Imperator would have to start over; assassination was the only way. The Praetorians were, of course, loyal to the Imperator, but there was the problem of covering up the murder of some of the top political figures... all 300 of them and their families. It took some thinking, but the Imperator figured it out. He would charter a cruise off the coast of Lamoni, rig a yacht with several tons of explosives, and send it straight into the cruiser, hopefully incinerating all the Senators.

At home there would be chaos, new Senators would be elected, but the Imperator would rise up and begin the process of reform. It was executed flawlessly.

Divorce rates dropped as laws were enacted that made it much more difficult. Piracy was crushed as new corvettes cruised the seas, ruthlessly destroying any pirates. School attendance was made compulsory and nearly half of all tax denarii went to supporting education. Prostitution was outlawed. The Religio Romana was reinstituted as the national religion and the Imperator lead the daily rites and rituals to the gods.

The Imperator's plan had worked wonders. Soon, Novvs Atlantis was returning to its former glory. Sign up rates for the military increased as rumors spread (no doubt created by the government) that Lamoni was responsible for the murder of the past Senators. Patriotism and loyalty to the state increased ten fold and daily attendance to gladiatorial games skyrocketed.

The Imperator, however, was dealing with being crowned king. The newly-elected Senators were tying to pass acts that would make the Imperator king and would give him complete control over the nation. He refused the title of king, but kept the title of Imperator. He accepted control over the nation in the great Concession Act of 2758 (ab urbe condita). The Senate was retained, which to the everyday citizen made the whole Act appear pointless; the everyday citizens still believed that the Senate had control over the nation.

Soon the Imperator began traveling more, visiting the various cities of Novvs Atlantis to boost his image. Propaganda was spread that Lamoni was in fact responsible for the slaughter of the past Senators and the eruption of Mount Roma was proof that the gods were angry.

The Lucifer system and its sister satellites were redirected from their last target of the former island of Tachbe to the nation of Lamoni. Fortifications were erected along the N.A./Lamoni border, garrisons were setup, factories and shipyards soon began turning out their respective military products, and the R&D rats in the deepest level of the Citadel were doing their best to make improvements on existing gauss technology and think of new weapon systems.

In his final act before the war, the Imperator sent a transmission to his ally Xile, and so we are here waiting for the response of the Xilian leader.

The delegate turns and runs to the phone. He calls down to the other delegates sitting and relaxing in the Secretariat house. He relays with haste the communication just received and it is decided to convene an emergency meeting of the National Assembly.

After a few cups of strong coffee and a long and well needed visit to the toilet the other delegates arrive and meet in the assembly hall. The facsimile is read out. The first to speak is Abe Kauf, recently returned from Taaru. People turn to listen intently.

The debate goes on into the night. Pizza is ordered and delivered as the delegates argue, shout and discuss this great problem. It is decided that consensus within the regional assemblies is necessary to pass the motion of support.

The delegates, having become exhausted return to their homes as the secretariat urgently informs the regional assemblies to discuss and vote on the matter. The country is informed of the debate and the population of Emagol throw themselves into the proceedings. Cafe's, bars, universities and communes begin to discuss with enthusiasim the great question. Should we help Lamoni defend itself.

The news stops, the paper is paused on the presses, televisions are switched on across the nation and the delegates convene once again within the national assembly. Each regional assembly is linked together on the large screens constructed for national votes. The 54 assemblies in turn begin to give their result. One of the delegates turns to the person next to him shaking with excitment "The last time we required consensus on an issue was 22 years ago." The hall falls silent as the first assembly representative steps forward, his face becomes illuminated on the large screen, the tension is high....

This post has been edited by Abattoir on Jan 10 2005, 06:51 PM