Foundation Day
01 May 2020Maggie Oz
I don't know why we mark time in the manner we do. Based on the orbital and rotational period of our genesis planet, Earth in the Sol System, the method of measuring days, weeks and months has remained the same for centuries.
I guess the only real requirement on a galactic level is that we all have the same base measurement and the second is precisely determined by rates of radioactive decay. Beyond that what day or month we choose to call the present epoch is fairly irrelevant.
That doesn't stop us from clinging on to our primordial beginnings. Although our technology has given us the power to shape our surroundings, we are still at our core those simple tribal ancestors that gave offerings to the Gods for a good harvest or fair winds.
So it is fitting then that the Empire chose the First of May as it's Foundation Day.
I suppose in the hurly burly of the early days of Achenar few gave thought to celebrations as they fought the elements, the Federation and each other to carve out a new beginning for humanity. Somewhere along the line though someone decided to set aside a day in which we can all get together and give thanks for those who had gone before us to give us what we have today.
Foundation Day is a tribute to not just the Imperial Military but also the workers who built the Empire as we know it today.
Previously I could just avoid the pomp and ceremony associated with the day, hiding in anonymity as a "nobody" in the back of the crowd and skipping out as soon as I possibly could.
This year though, I had little choice. As Lady of the Manor, I was centre stage and had to lead the choir of nationalism.
The event required me to wear my full "Dress Blues 1A", the Naval Auxilla full ceremonial uniform.
An Indigo Blue reefer jacket with a tall collar over matching trousers and oddly, ceremonial mag boots, harkening to the decks of Naval Capital Ships in ZeroG. In keeping with ancient traditions, Officers carry a sword and all sorts of flashes and buttons and bit and bobs of gold.
Pris helped me "load up" with all the trappings. She and Monique had spent many joyful hours polishing and buffing it all, so excited that "their" Lady was the commander of the ceremonies. I felt such a fraud.
Pris herself was resplendent in her Scholastic Gown. A black gown with white trim, the Tudor Bonnet of a Professor and the sage green sash of the Faculty of Earth Sciences. Monique wore her school formal uniform, as most of the kids on the station would do this day.
Sir Richard arrived, as my Aide-d-Camp, he would march beside me for the review.
His parents and sisters had come to Aztlan this year.
"We are ready when you are M'lady"
"Thank you Sir Richard" I responded formally "Do I pass inspection?" I asked turning towards him.
He looked me up and down with exaggerated movements
"Indeed you do M'lady"
"What about me!" cried Monique, desperate for some of the attention.
Rick looked her over, in an even more exaggerated manner while she stood nervously at attention and tried not to giggle.
"Ms Monique, you are splendidly turned out." said Rick then turned to Pris "You do you alumni credit, Professor"
"Thank you, Sir Richard" Pris replied. "You are most dashing yourself, I'm sure the young ladies of Tannhauser will be most impressed"
The child beamed, Sir Richard blushed
"Well, let's be off then." I said "Pris, I'll catch up with you later at the celebrations? "
"Yes of course M'lady"
The tube ride was mercifully short, just back down to the docking centre, then onto the Naval shuttle to the surface of Nexus737.
I stood the whole way, to be honest, I wasn't sure if I would be able to get back up again if I sat with all this regalia on.
The Aztlan Company of Royal Marines were formed up in two blocks of 100 each on the parade ground just outside the station.
I was to inspect them, give a speech and then take the salute of a march past.
The citizens of Aztlan system attended in their 1000's to see the show. A VIP seating section was on either side of the salute dais, the rest was the throng of the real people.
My job was to impress them with the majesty and security of the Empire of which they were all a valuable part.... no pressure
I looked at Rick and then we marched outside to the forecourt of the station and halted.
Major Nguen, the Company Commander was waiting for us and greeted us with a salute.
"Welcome Mar'm the Company is ready for your review"
"Thank you, Major" I replied and walked on, Major Nguen forming on my left
The three of us marched along a short roadway, the crowd growing larger as we went, towards where the company was formed up.
CSM Cloverdale standing at "the shun" before the parade which was presently brought to present arms
Company Sergent Major Emilia Cloverdale, 190cm, 35 year Royal Marine veteran of numerous wars and border skirmishes in both ship and ground actions.
Biological mother of 4, spiritual mother of the Aztlan RM Company.
She never swore, she never shouted not even on the parade ground, but her strength of character carried with it an authority that could be heard over the loudest explosion or whine of a failing ship's atmosphere. She too was resplendent in her full dress uniform with Bosun's Cosh and no less than 35 campaign and meritorious conduct medals adorned her chest each a testament to her dedication and professionalism.
Every single member of Aztlan Co. would give their life to carry out her slightest command, and she bore that trust faithfully.
"Aztlan Company ready for inspection Ma'm" said CSM Cloverdale in a clear and confident voice.
"Thank you, CSM," I replied and she stepped smartly to my right, opposite the company commander.
And there I stood, "Nowhere to hide now lovey " I thought to myself
Every single one of the company could now size me up. Too tall, too thin, too plain, too rich, coming here with all the shiny bling and pretending to be our better, I could read it on their faces. Tough faces.
The worst of it though was the 53 medals that jostled for room on my chest.
One of the quirks of being generational is that although everything about me goes back to zero when I relife, the Navy believes that past awards should be carried over ... I have no idea why. Even worse my medals for the Alioth campaign were awarded posthumously after I was granted an official pardon for my actions that had got me executed in 2nd life (Taking my Seat III)
I felt such a fraud before these professional soldiers with all my medals for turning up, not getting shot, living where others had died, killing kids and running away in a stylish manner so as not to bring discredit on the Empire.
They must hate me ....
Perhaps worst of all was that each of them knew their awards back to front, they all would know in a heartbeat that I was wearing medals for campaigns of over 100 years ago and that I was a Clone. It's a common thought amongst the military that clones, as they know they can never really die, shouldn't be awarded medals for bravery.
I find it hard to disagree with them.
And so I walked through an inspection, a word here and there to random Marines, all answered courteously of course.
"Have you been with the Company long? "
"Are your family with you?"
"You are a credit to the Corps and the Empire"
and so on
I spotted a Corporal with a Pancienses Campaign Medal and a Meritorious Conduct Cross
"You've seen some action for the Empire Corporal. Pancienses was a tough fight from what I hear" I asked in a formal away. Horrible that I am required to pry but it's part of the "showing the flag" pantomime
"Yes Mar'm" he replied, he paused as if unsure ... "We did our bit. Not as much as you though Mar'm" he said nodding to my breast
I looked down myself "I suppose so"
"Friends long gone Mar'm" he said, but then snapped back to parade rest, possibly regretting being so familiar
Oh my God. That threw me completely. I looked in his eye and saw not hate, but understanding, the shared experience, and a burning pride.
"Bless you, Corporal," I said, (was that a little grin?) and moved on along the line.
I completed the inspection and returned to the dais and prepared to give my Foundation Day address.
The earpiece implant chirped and Holden's prepared speech appeared in the space in front of me, projected onto my retinas but appearing to be about 2 meters in front of me, 34th century teleprompter.
"Citizens of the Imperium," I began "We gather today to celebrate the Founding of our glorious Empire and reaffirm the values that make us strong."
I stopped. I made an obvious movement and switched off the teleprompter, that got their attention.
I paused and took a good 20 seconds to look around at the assembled throng, they looked back, expectantly
"Ladies and Gentlemen today is our Foundation Day." I started again, my voice quavering just a little, "A day set aside to remember why all those years ago our ancestors chose to follow a new path.
A path of peace and understanding and of working together to be all we can be.
As some of you may already know, and all of you are about to know, I am a Generational Clone."
This was met with a small degree of melodrama but I rather think it was the worst kept secret of the entire system so not really news to anyone.
"In the last 2 centuries of my existence I have seen many rises and falls, but the Empire has been the one constant throughout. While leaders may change, the common thread has always been the decency and dedication of you, the citizens of the Empire and of that we can all be proud.
We face in our time perhaps the greatest threat that we as Humans have ever known, you know the external forces of which I speak.
I fought a war against their predations over 150 years ago and we thought then the threat had passed.
It has not.
They come again, the destruction is the same.
So it is now, more than ever before in the history of our species, that we must put aside our differences and come together as one.
Look not to the figureheads and symbols of the Empire, but rather to your left and your right, your fellow citizens.
As we celebrate the years gone by and look forward to the next, let us all reaffirm our commitment to each other for that is where the strength of the Empire lies. "
I finished to a resounding cheer form the crowd and polite applause from the VIPs
The company formed and marched past and I took the salute.
They reformed on the square and then the customary "Three cheers for the Emperor" was delivered.
I retired from the dais and marched with Rick back the tube car to head for the civic reception.
Holden was waiting in the car.
"I'm so sorry for going of script Chief Holden," I said, not really meaning it
"Afia, please, call me Afia," she said, to which I raised an eyebrow " Ohhhh, I bet Roy told you I only offer that when I think you have been tamed"
"Ummm wellll" I hedged
"Noooooo" she laughed, "I feel dat I have to keep tings formal until you can hold your own in public. It took Lord Batty montz to get dere " letting her Imperial accent slip to a warm and jovial creole
"Your secret is safe with me! " I laughed.
"I know" she replied earnestly
We all went along to the civic reception. More intolerable hobnobbing. Sir Richard must have danced with every eligible young lady in the system, his skills and stamina were a sight to see.
Pris mingled like a pro, not a hint of a subservience about her.
I danced as well, I like to think I'm fairly good. I did note a certain coolness from some of the previously engaging "names" of Aztlan, now my true nature was revealed.
But no mind, for plenty it was business as usual and business was what it was. Every conversation lead to a self interest of some form, I got fairly tired of that, fairly quickly.
Midway through the night though I slipped out and found my way to the barracks. Removing my cap I asked for permission to enter the Mess and was cordially accepted by the Marines and their families who were celebrating the day in their own way.
They were so accepting of me, I was so wrong to think they resented me. They were so much better than that, so much better than me.
In the wee hours of the next morning I returned home, alone. I laid out my medals and thought back to the times for which they were awarded.
I recalled the names, the faces of those times, faces of people long gone.
Medals aren't for those who wear them, they are for the people we lost and we wear them in their honour.