Q1 3034 - The Cost of Freedom
Ducal Palace
Roslyn, East Islay
Arcadia
Arcadian Free March
24 March 3034
The HPG message came straight from Gypsum. OpForce Tubman's bloody work was done. Unlike the aggressive expansion campaign of the prior year, there were few protests over this action. Even the worlds forced into the Free March were rallying to the fight and offering what support they could, save for those with active insurgents unmoved by the matter.
The message's timing was excellent, as it allowed for the news to be disseminated in time for Arcadia's great holiday of the modern era. The planetary flag - a phoenix joined by forested, snowcapped mountains and fields - flew proudly beside the blue and red of the Free March, their twin bird-themed insignia evoking the sentiments of freedom so appropriate for the holiday.
Liberation Day.
For the second year in a row the parade lacked one of the line units of the army, busy as they were. The 1st Militia Brigade made up for it, painting their old 'Mechs in fine ceremonial parade color and the pilots, as green as they were, nevertheless keeping their machines in step to the cheers of the crowd. Sara-Marie followed behind them, her husband and youngest son beside her waving at the adoring crowds. She and Prince-Consort Thomas were in AFFM dress red instead of civilian clothing, and even William was in the uniform of the Arcadian Youth Scouts. Behind them were the civilian leaders of the planet and the Free March, waving from their vehicles as well.
The path of the parade brought them down the March Esplanade to their terminus. The steps leading up to the Free March Assembly Building had a raised stage and a podium ready for her. The Proctor family coat of arms shined brilliantly on the podium, while a large Free March flag hung horizontally at the back of the stage.
Sara-Marie stepped up to the podium with her family in tow. "Greetings, citizens of our proud worlds," she said. "Today we remember the end of the Age of Chains. The final victory of my grandmother over those who thought their might gave them the right to make slaves of their fellow human beings. Through the sacrifices and blood of Sara Proctor and those who rallied to her banner, the Slaver Lords were defeated. Today the heritage of the peoples of Arcadia and of all the worlds of the Free March is the cherishing of human freedom. Of the liberties granted by Providence to all free souls."
"I wish today could be a day of celebration only. But alas, it cannot. Today, we must also mourn. We must mourn the loss taken to so many of our families in the fighting on Bolan." Sara-Marie gripped the podium and tried not to think of Mark. "The sacrifice they have made was in the same spirit as that made by so many untold thousands before the fall of Carl Tabot. They fought and died to shatter the chains of slaves, so that others might be free. As great as our pain at their loss is, we must remember that with pride, and join our laments to God with thanks to Him that He brought them into this world. Them, and all others willing to pay the cost of Freedom."
"These martyrs of freedom have thrown to us the torch of liberty, to hold aloft against the dark tide that has struck at the Inner Sphere. The Marian Hegemony, seeking to emulate the Romans of old, have adopted the worst of that ancient people, embracing slavery such that the blood and sweat of their slaves oils the machine of their economy. The fall of Bolan, regrettably, could not be prevented, but it is my hope that by the rescue of the last heroic defenders of Bolan and of her people taken in chains, bought at such a terrible price in blood, we have raised a standard for all of the free worlds of the Inner Sphere and the Periphery to rally around. With courage and resolution, we can yet hold the dark tide back. We must, for the sake of all those who have fallen before, and all who are yet born. We will not seek war, but we will not shirk that holy duty should the tide continue advancing. We will hold firm against the darkness of slavery, the living death."
Rarely did Sara-Marie make strong gestures in speech. It was not the place of the monarch to behave like a popular politician. But this was not a normal place, not a normal time, and with thoughts of her son's suffering in her heart, she was seized by an impulse that might very well have been divinely-inspired. Instead of merely raising her fist, she reached for the ceremonial officer's sword of the AFFM dress uniform and drew it from the scabbard. The blade shined brilliantly in the sunlight as she raised it high, just as she raised her voice to a shout to close out the speech with words she and her speechwriters hadn't even planned on uttering.
"For Arcadia! For the Free March! For God and for Liberty!"
The crowd's reply was a thunderous roar of approval, while among the officers sword after sword came from scabbards to likewise point skyward.
Roslyn, East Islay
Arcadia
Arcadian Free March
24 March 3034
The HPG message came straight from Gypsum. OpForce Tubman's bloody work was done. Unlike the aggressive expansion campaign of the prior year, there were few protests over this action. Even the worlds forced into the Free March were rallying to the fight and offering what support they could, save for those with active insurgents unmoved by the matter.
The message's timing was excellent, as it allowed for the news to be disseminated in time for Arcadia's great holiday of the modern era. The planetary flag - a phoenix joined by forested, snowcapped mountains and fields - flew proudly beside the blue and red of the Free March, their twin bird-themed insignia evoking the sentiments of freedom so appropriate for the holiday.
Liberation Day.
For the second year in a row the parade lacked one of the line units of the army, busy as they were. The 1st Militia Brigade made up for it, painting their old 'Mechs in fine ceremonial parade color and the pilots, as green as they were, nevertheless keeping their machines in step to the cheers of the crowd. Sara-Marie followed behind them, her husband and youngest son beside her waving at the adoring crowds. She and Prince-Consort Thomas were in AFFM dress red instead of civilian clothing, and even William was in the uniform of the Arcadian Youth Scouts. Behind them were the civilian leaders of the planet and the Free March, waving from their vehicles as well.
The path of the parade brought them down the March Esplanade to their terminus. The steps leading up to the Free March Assembly Building had a raised stage and a podium ready for her. The Proctor family coat of arms shined brilliantly on the podium, while a large Free March flag hung horizontally at the back of the stage.
Sara-Marie stepped up to the podium with her family in tow. "Greetings, citizens of our proud worlds," she said. "Today we remember the end of the Age of Chains. The final victory of my grandmother over those who thought their might gave them the right to make slaves of their fellow human beings. Through the sacrifices and blood of Sara Proctor and those who rallied to her banner, the Slaver Lords were defeated. Today the heritage of the peoples of Arcadia and of all the worlds of the Free March is the cherishing of human freedom. Of the liberties granted by Providence to all free souls."
"I wish today could be a day of celebration only. But alas, it cannot. Today, we must also mourn. We must mourn the loss taken to so many of our families in the fighting on Bolan." Sara-Marie gripped the podium and tried not to think of Mark. "The sacrifice they have made was in the same spirit as that made by so many untold thousands before the fall of Carl Tabot. They fought and died to shatter the chains of slaves, so that others might be free. As great as our pain at their loss is, we must remember that with pride, and join our laments to God with thanks to Him that He brought them into this world. Them, and all others willing to pay the cost of Freedom."
"These martyrs of freedom have thrown to us the torch of liberty, to hold aloft against the dark tide that has struck at the Inner Sphere. The Marian Hegemony, seeking to emulate the Romans of old, have adopted the worst of that ancient people, embracing slavery such that the blood and sweat of their slaves oils the machine of their economy. The fall of Bolan, regrettably, could not be prevented, but it is my hope that by the rescue of the last heroic defenders of Bolan and of her people taken in chains, bought at such a terrible price in blood, we have raised a standard for all of the free worlds of the Inner Sphere and the Periphery to rally around. With courage and resolution, we can yet hold the dark tide back. We must, for the sake of all those who have fallen before, and all who are yet born. We will not seek war, but we will not shirk that holy duty should the tide continue advancing. We will hold firm against the darkness of slavery, the living death."
Rarely did Sara-Marie make strong gestures in speech. It was not the place of the monarch to behave like a popular politician. But this was not a normal place, not a normal time, and with thoughts of her son's suffering in her heart, she was seized by an impulse that might very well have been divinely-inspired. Instead of merely raising her fist, she reached for the ceremonial officer's sword of the AFFM dress uniform and drew it from the scabbard. The blade shined brilliantly in the sunlight as she raised it high, just as she raised her voice to a shout to close out the speech with words she and her speechwriters hadn't even planned on uttering.
"For Arcadia! For the Free March! For God and for Liberty!"
The crowd's reply was a thunderous roar of approval, while among the officers sword after sword came from scabbards to likewise point skyward.