Glory to Our Avalon: Part III

Glory to Our Avalon: Part III is a chapter in When the Cold Breeze Blows Away. In this chapter, High Captain Edward John Smith finishes the story of how Avalon is created, only to find out by the first Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to the Republic of Avalon Nguyễn Ðình Tuấn that the story isn't over yet.

Debuting Characters

 * Nguyễn Ðình Tuấn

Transcript
APRIL 25th, 2042 -- ONBOARD THE TITANIC

It was just before 10:00AM as Captain Smith walked into the First Class Lounge on A-Deck where the members of the Constitutional Assembly had gathered, Several of the recently elected delegates shook his hand and greeted him, including Margaret Brown, who had handily won the support of her peers and sent to the Assembly. Journalists from around the world are gathered inside and outside the lounge for a special news coverage. The first journalist to cover this is one young Chinese-American lady called Trudy Chou of the PBS NewsHour who is wearing modern-styled casual clothes, which consists of a navy blue polo shirt, a pair of black skinny jeans, and a pair of pink Converses. She's holding the microphone, standing in front of a cameraman.

MAY 25th, 2042 -- OUTSIDE THE VAULT

Captain Smith looked out at the crowd that had gathered outside the Vault. A stage had been assembled in front of the massive concrete structure on the center of Manhattan Island. The rest of the Captain’s Council sat on stage with Smith, and in the first row of the seated crowd the forty members of the Assembly waited for the ceremony to start. Behind the Assembly members, a vast majority of the passengers and crew, including 500 OFWs (overseas Filipino workers), 100 Chinese immigrants, Grand Alliance and Coalition of the Red Phoenix soldiers, officers and generals, and even survivors of New York City survivors, were in waiting for the start of the ceremony (oh, and after enjoying a series of concert performances and speeches from other Assembly members). Behind those seated on the stage, the pennant flags of the White Star Line fluttered idly in the wind. Although it had been decided that the White Star flag would not serve as a permanent flag for the soon-to-be republic, the Council felt that it would be a good temporary stand in until a new flag could be created.

Off in the distance, the Titanic’s whistle blasted long and loud, the signal that it was noon, and time for the ceremony to begin. Captain Smith rose from his seat and walked up to a podium set up on the stage. In the Vault, the Quartermaster had discovered an audio projection device so that all those assembled could hear the Captain and the other speakers. The Captain cleared his throat, and began to speak.

A great cheer and applause came up from the crowd as the Captain finished speaking. Following his remarks, the forty representatives of the Constitutional Assembly filed on stage and signed the Articles of Governance, followed by the Council, and finally Captain Smith.

The document signed in to law that day would be a somewhat temporary system, with such a small population. Later on, the way the new Congress would be elected and how such representation would be proportioned would change as the population grew and spread out along the continent. The Captaincy became a permanent institution, a figurehead leader of the new Republic. The Prime Minister would be chosen from the members of the Assembly, and a cabinet would be appointed by the Prime Minister, all ruling in the name of the “High Captain.” While the High Captaincy isn’t a hereditary position, the custom will be adopted that the reigning High Captain will appoint their successor.

"Let's hear it for your first High Captain, Edward J. Smith. Give it up for the fine men and women of the Constitutional Assembly of the Republic of Avalon!" screamed Park Syngman as he raises E.J.'s left hand up like a referee raising the winner's hand whenever it's in a boxing match, in an MMA match and/or in a pro wrestling match while he points at him. The crowd cheered loudly, whistled, clapped and applauded once more.

"E.J.! E.J.!" everybody chanted, then they also chanted the country's name after cheering when they finished with his initials like a cheerleader would say.

"Av-al-on! Av-al-on!"

"And now folks, we need music," spoke Ismay on the lectern. "Hartley!"

Hartley nodded happily and they all happily begin playing the same tune as the Estonian SSR anthem, except with completely different lyrics.

"Enough with those freaky Coalie wankers!" screamed Murdoch. "Take to the streets and show that the people of Scotland, and of Avalon too... WILL NEVER SURRENDER!!!"

He bellowed the last three words angrily, then took heavy breathing as the crowd laughed and cheered. He then said softly with a light chuckle, "Murdoch out."

APRIL 26th, 2042 -- SIMFEROPOL, CRIMEA, RUSSIA/UKRAINE

"Your attention please!" spoke the female PA announcer. "By order of the Supreme Leader, all laborers are advised to head to the quota basis immediately for the commencement of regular working schedule. Failure to comply will be met with either death or imprisonment, depending on its severity. There will be no exceptions. I repeat: there will be no exceptions."

The loudspeaker's voice repeated the same warning, in different languages. The Ukrainians are being dragged by the Russian troops to have them work an ironstone quarry once more. A lot of men and women ages 15 to 40 were wearing improved blue-and-orange jumpsuits. They are lined up in a square formation like a group of soldiers in a parade. What some guy heard was what High Captain E.J. Smith's speech had its first words spoken on the PA system after it was hacked.

When yesterday's speech given by the High Captain on the foundation of Avalon and its constitution being signed, the prisoners are angry and had enough of the Coalition's lies and mistreatment. The prisoners revolted and ran to these covers that're available to them.

"Slava Ukraini! Heroyam Slava! Glory to our Avalon!" one male prisoner shouted. They pressed the button and the landmines exploded over the wandering Coalie soldiers, killing them in a big explosive.

Everybody cheered as the guards are dead. They are very happy that they can sense not only a new hope for humanity, but also a new hope for freedom, liberty and democracy.

JUNE 25th, 2042 -- YANKEE STADIUM

"And that, my friend, is how Avalon is founded," said the High Captain. "Well, that's my story! A damn good story that not only I made, but also everybody in this wounded multiverse would remember for generations yet to come."

"Great story, E.J. Guess I'll be on my next mission: to head to Appleloosa and protect the weakened 8th Equestrian Royal Battalion from being hunted down by the New Group P365," I said. "See ya, my High Captain."

"Yeah, you too. I'll see you there in Canterlot where another conference is held for the important about the clearing of radiation is all about."

"Wait!" spoke a stern, deep voice. "The story isn't over yet."

"Then who the hell are you?" said High Captain Smith with a puzzling look.

"Tôi tên là Nguyễn Đình Tuấn. My name is Nguyễn Ðình Tuấn," a Vietnamese man in a clean business suit spoke in a soft-spoken, slightly more shrill voice. "And I heard you two fine gentlemen heard the story of how Avalon is built from New York City's ashes. Like a phượng hoàng. A phoenix."