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

 * Franny Fantootsie
 * Joseph Mbadinga
 * Nguyễn Ðình Tuấn

Returning Characters

 * Alexander Pepper
 * Anya Oliwa
 * Archibald Butt
 * Arnold Perlstein
 * Artyom Alekseyevich Chyornyj
 * Babs Seed
 * Bao Zheng
 * Benjamin Guggenheim
 * Big McIntosh
 * BJ Blazkowicz
 * Bolortsetseg Ukhnaagiin
 * Boris Motovov
 * Charles Lightoller
 * Choi Jadoo
 * Colonel Miller
 * Dorothy Ann "D.A." Hudson
 * Edward John Smith
 * Erik "Bombate" Macon
 * Fergus Reid
 * Flurry Heart
 * Grace Walker
 * Harold Lowe
 * Henry Wilde
 * Herbert Pitman
 * Hermann Fegelein
 * Hongmao
 * J. Bruce Ismay
 * James Moody
 * Jess Blazkowicz
 * John Jacob Astor IV
 * Joseph Boxhall
 * Jyoti Kaur
 * Karl Fairburne
 * Leon Scott Kennedy
 * Michael Bloomberg
 * Mocha Dennis
 * Molly Brown
 * Mousse Benetta
 * Nathan Bradford
 * Norman "Super Spesh" Caldwell
 * Onyx Sorbetstorm
 * Orange Tia
 * Oscar Hidalgo
 * Park Syngman
 * Peter "Spider-Man" Parker
 * Peter Högl
 * Pororo
 * Preston Garvey
 * Princess Celestia
 * Princess Luna
 * Princess Mi Amore "Cadance" Cadenza
 * Probst Wyatt III
 * Robert Hichens
 * Ruby Ramirez
 * Sam Porter Bridges
 * Sandy Cheeks
 * Sci-Twi
 * Set Roth
 * Shining Armor
 * Soph Blazkowicz
 * Spike the Dragon
 * SpongeBob SquarePants
 * Squidward Tentacles
 * Stacker Pentecost
 * Su Ji-Hoon
 * Sunset Shimmer
 * Thomas Andrews
 * Thomas King
 * Twilight Sparkle
 * Vic Mignogna
 * Walovlir Motovov
 * William Murdoch
 * Yuri Motovov
 * Zhan Zhao

Mentioned Characters

 * Alma Coin
 * Anakin Skywalker
 * Arthur Rostron
 * Barack Obama
 * Beetee Latier
 * Ben Solo
 * Benjamin Franklin
 * Donald Trump
 * Eric L. Adams
 * George Washington
 * Higgs Monaghan
 * Hồ Chí Minh
 * Joe Biden
 * John Adams
 * Kim Jong-un
 * Mace Windu
 * Michael Dugan
 * Rey Skywalker
 * Ruby Rose
 * Rudy Giuliani
 * Sheev Palpatine
 * Thomas Jefferson
 * Tomislav Vlahović
 * Torvivum Zuskelgar
 * Victor Nevarez
 * Vladimir Putin
 * Volodymyr Zelenskyy
 * Xi Jinping
 * Yoda

Transcript
MAY 21st, 2406 -- TITANIC CITY, AVALON

THE GOVERNMENT CAR headed east on Vault Street, all the way to Lowell Street on the east side of Manhattan Island. They passed the Security Ministry, the Health Ministry, the Colonial Office and the main campus of Avalonia University before Vault Street came to a dead end at the Memorial Dock (including a memorial commemorating the upcoming Battle for the Multiverse which could end in a Grand Alliance victory. complete with flags of Grand Alliance member states), and the car turned north onto Lowell. The car passed shops and town houses, some of the oldest buildings in the city. About a mile and a half up from Vault, the car came to a stop at Andrew’s home, a three-story brick and wood townhouse that had been built over 100 years ago. Across the street was the river park, where parents were strolling with their children, a few elderly citizens were sitting around feeding the birds, and one young couple sitting on the ground having a picnic. Andrews got out of the car and walked up the steps into his home. He walked through the door to hear his two youngest children running down the stairs shouting “Daddy!” at the top of their lungs. His middle child, 10-year-old Margaret, reached him first, giving him a big hug. Her 4-year-old brother Edward was not far behind. He picked up Ed and walked into the parlor to the left of the main hall, where his wife was getting up from her seat.

“It’s good to see you darling. How was your day?”

“More and more reports. The Colonial Office wants to start on the next phase of expansions in New Albion and Atlantia, and they have to have Congress to give the go-ahead. Hopefully we’ll get through it by the end of the week.”

“That’ll be good. You know my sister is considering going out to Atlantia. She wants to start fresh after the engagement to Robert fell apart.”

“That’s definitely a fresh start. Life’s a little rough out in the new colonial expansion. Lots of wildernesses still to tamed.” You meant wildernesses grown out from deserted rural areas and completely-destroyed cities, right?

“Sarah’s a tough girl. I think she can do it.”

“Perhaps. Well, if she does I wish her luck. Not something I’d want to do.”

“I don’t know, dad, and it sounds kind of exciting to me.” said James, Andrew’s 16-year-old son, his oldest. “Henry and I were talking about it today. If we don’t join the Navy for our two years of service after school, we may go to the Colonial Force.”

“Perhaps. Well, if she does I wish her luck. Not something I’d want to do.”

“I don’t know dad, it sounds kind of exciting to me.” said James, Andrew’s 16-year-old son, his oldest. “Henry and I were talking about it today. If we don’t join the Navy for our two years of service after school, we may go to the Colonial Force.”

“We’ll see about that. The men in this family have served faithfully in the Navy for generations. Would you really want to break that tradition?”

“Well... when you put it that way -- does make it harder to say no to the Navy. But I still think the Colonial Force would be more exciting.”

“Thankfully, that’s still two years away,” Andrew’s wife, Clara, piped in, defusing the situation. “Dinner should be ready soon. Why don’t you go and change clothes and we’ll eat, darling?”

“Okay, that sounds like a plan,” and with that, Andrews walked up the flight of stairs to the master bedroom and changed out of the suit he wore to work and into some more comfortable clothes to relax for the evening.

At dinner, Andrews told his wife about the request from the Prime Minister.

“Astor House? That’s the second event you’ve been invited to this year. Do you think the Prime Minister is planning on giving you some sort of political promotion?”

“Clara, I’ve considered that. It’s quite possible. Maybe a junior ministry appointment or something like that. But I’ve not heard anything official. Only time will tell."

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.

“Good morning Captain. Are you ready to make history today?”

Captain Smith made his rounds among the delegates, making a point to shake hands and greet each of the 70 members of the newly elected Constitutional Assembly. As the clock struck 10, the members of the Assembly found their seats, and the Captain made his way to the front of the center hall, opposite the main entrance, where a long table had been set up with seats facing the delegates for the Captain and his council. The captain was seated in the center. To his right were the senior officers: Chief Officer Henry Wilde, First Officer William Murdoch, Second Officer Charles Lightoller, Third Officer Herbert Pitman, Fourth Officer Joseph Boxhall, Fifth Officer Harold Lowe, and Sixth officer James Moody. To his left were Thomas Andrews, J. J. Astor, Bruce Ismay, Benjamin Guggenheim, Archibald Butt, and Master-at-Arms Thomas King. The delegates were seated in seven rows all facing the Captain’s Council, with five members of each constituency seated on either side of a central row. As everyone else sat, Captain Smith stood at his place and opened the meeting.

Also, a Filipino speaker (Mike Soriano), a Tamil speaker (Navinesh Thuvaebaran) and a Chinese speaker (Zhou Wenling), begin to interpret what he says, and what would Astor and Ismay will say later on, for the 30 future Avalonians who immigrated recently (and neither a passenger nor a crew member of the RMS Titanic) to hear with their headphones.

Babs Seed of the AFHF bangs the gavel as the meeting finally began.

APRIL 25th, 2042 -- POLIS, MOSCOW METRO

It's afternoon, and everyone in the Polis station (including Sparta Rangers) was gathered as Colonel Miller is giving an important announcement regarding the first session for the Constitutional Assembly of the Titanic Colony.

"Good afternoon, comrades," spoke Colonel Miller on the microphone.

JUNE 25th, 2042 -- AHCH-TO, OUTER TERRITORIES

Alexander Pepper is still meditating that evening. Meditating in Ahch-To. He was still seeking enough spiritual advise. Wanting to make sure that his boss Nathan Bradford would spare more lives than what the final battle in Exegol may expect.

"Oh, Franny Fantootsie, where will my body take thee today?" spoke Alexander Pepper with his eyes still gently closed as he was still waiting for another spirit of an Original Defender to give him advise.

He's now talking to the spirit of Franny Fantootsie from Franny's Feet who was released from Pepper's Force-filled body.

"I am right here, Alex. I am right here," Franny Fantootsie said. "And everyone knows that my real name is Frances. However, there is one secret that bought you together to be all the Original Defenders: I defeated evil with the magic of my own father's shoes."

"Right," Alex said.

"Now these damn Coalies took all my damn shoes, leaving me with no choice but to be sent to Canceltown to gather up our own strength to fight back against these evil monsters."

"Yes. Merci beaucoup, ma cherie mademoiselle. Look, we're gonna set things right."

"Yes. I hope you do. Until then, where will my feet take me today? To your pristine body of course. And remember: bring back the balance of the Force with your iron will."

MAY 25th, 2042 -- OUTSIDE THE VAULT, TITANIC CITY, AVALON

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 seventy members of the Assembly waited for the ceremony to start. Even the finest scientists of the Alliance (like D.A. Hudson, Jyoti Kaur, Rusty Rivets, Sandy Cheeks, Ace Ripley, Sloane Plunderman, Jimmy Neutron, Kate Higgins, Loretta Callisto, Miles Callisto, Set Roth, Sandy Fox, Stephanie Sheh, Jack Griffo, Heidi Klum, Victoria Beckham, Twilight Sparkle, Ruby Ramirez, etc.) are beside each member of the council! Behind the Assembly members, a vast majority of the passengers and crew, including 500 OFWs (overseas Filipino workers), 250 Tamil-speaking immigrants mainly from Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Sri Lanka and Singapore (with some from South Africa and Malaysia), 100 Chinese immigrants (from Mainland China and Taiwan), Grand Alliance, Allied Forces of Harmonic Friendship, UN peacekeepers, Brotherhood of Steel paladins, a few Commonwealth Minutemen, Coalition of the Red Phoenix soldiers, officers and generals, and even survivors of New York City nuclear attacks, and aged heroes of the September 11 attacks of 2001, Hurricane Sandy and the COVID pandemic, 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.

Not to mention, the final flag of the United Nations Transitional Authority of New York City was about to be lowered because they're saving it for that ceremony! Before the ceremony begins, Zhan Zhao blew the whistle of a Titanic officer and Bao Zheng began to speak through the brass megaphone. His words were, "Attention! High Captain Edward J. Smith has an announcement!"

Off in the distance (and almost immediately after these words of warning from Justice Bao), the Titanic’s whistle blasted long and loud, the signal that it was noon, and time for the ceremony to begin (after those subsequent speeches from the Constitutional Assembly members and pre-ceremony concert performances). Captain Smith rose from his seat and walked up to a podium set up on the stage. In the Vault, the Quartermaster (Robert Hichens) had discovered an audio projection device so that all those assembled could hear the Captain and the other speakers (and even performers). The UN peacekeepers would also remove their blue helmets and berets, then salute to listen to his speech. The Captain cleared his throat, and began to speak in English, then some in Tagalog, Tamil and Chinese (the future official languages of the Republic of Avalon, along with English) with Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish interpreters ready to speak at the same time for those who can use headphones whenever he's speaking.

A great cheer and applause came up from the crowd as the Captain finished speaking.

"Great job, Captain Smith. I mean, my High Captain," spoke Babs Seed with joy.

Following his remarks, she stepped on the stage and spoke to the crowd in a very loud and clear voice, "Fellow citizens of the Republic of Avalon, I, General Babs Seed of the Allied Forces of Harmonic Friendship, will state that the Articles of Governance shall now be signed by the Constitutional Assembly, the Captain's Council, and finally, your first High Captain, Edward John Smith himself, who had been spoken just moments ago! Also, I will declare that everyone important is able to sign these edicts that will cement your nation's foundation! Glory to our Avalon! Glory to the High Captain!"

Upon Babs' announcement, the seventy representatives of the Constitutional Assembly filed on stage and signed the Articles of Governance, followed by the Council, then by the Grand Alliance scientists, and finally Captain Smith.

Oh, and there are extra signatories -- like Babs Seed, Bao Zheng, Guan Xing, Hongmao, Alisa Bosconovitch, Ieyasu Tokugawa, Mousse Benetta, Arthur Maxson, Trixie Lulamoon, Starlight Glimmer, Armado Hendrix, Colonel Miller, Preston Garvey, Derek "Frost" Westbrook, Cardo Dalisay, Oscar Hidalgo, Princesses Celestia, Luna, Cadance and Flurry Heart, Shining Armor, Grace Walker, Super Spesh (Norman Caldwell), Cuphead, Mugman, Ms. Chalice, Arnold Perlstein, Lana Loud, Tanya, Walovlir Motovov, Robot Matrix, Artyom, Anna, Tony Stark, Thor, Steve Rogers, and even Nathan Bradford.

I wouldn't forget how the passengers and crew threw their hats up while others were holding their smartphones and tablet computers to record the ceremony, be it by stretching arms, or by selfie sticks. Gee, I just heard some sorta like a same barrage of screams from dying Titanic passengers from before the Third World War changed everything forever. Well, dang. I meant barely like that at least. Only difference's that they are extremely happy. Guess it's kinda like a big sporting event or a pop concert or something.

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 multiverse. 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.

And guess what? If that speech isn't kickass enough, then Syngman stood up and ran to the podium in excitement, just in time to have the people cheer for Smith once more, even the CAROA would be praised for many generations yet to come.

"Let's hear it for your first High Captain, Edward J. Smith. Give it up for the fine men and women of both the Constitutional Assembly and the Captain's Council 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. Confetti, streamers and balloons fall on the podium while party whistles and airhorns sounded loud and strong.

"A-val-on! A-val-on!" I won't forget these chants. It looked like as if a crowd of screaming sports fans out there in a stadium or in an arena were chanting some more in a sporting event, or perhaps a crowd of music enthusiasts were in a concert. I won't forget what either E.J. said, or what Syngman said. Pyrotechnical equipment began to sprout out as the crowd cheered loudly. Some Mongolian lady who guarded the reading and writing room during a meeting stepped up with something large on her hand.

"Hey, don't forget the champagne spray," said Bolortsetseg Ukhnaagiin (still in her peacekeeper uniform, but with an enamel pin of the White Star Line flag) while holding a green bottle of non-alcoholic champagne. A few UN peacekeepers and Titanic officers begin to open the cork and the bottle began to spray on the podium as if it was during a trophy ceremony after a Formula 1 race.

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

Hartley nodded happily and he and the ship band all happily (unlike in the sinking where they either sadly or nervously play "Nearer My God To Thee" and then "Songe d'Automne" before being saved by the AFHF, the COTRS, the UN and the Brotherhood of Steel) begin playing the same tune as the Estonian SSR anthem, except with completely different lyrics, as the new flag is being raised in the place of the now-lowered UNTANYC flag (obviously a flagpole). Everyone all sang the national anthem of the Republic of Avalon, "Glory to Our Avalon," named after a specially-chosen motto given spoken by the late Joseph Mbadinga before he died, together.

"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."

MAY 25th, 2042 -- DIAMOND CITY, THE COMMONWEALTH

That midnight, people are watching E.J. Smith proclaiming the establishment of the Republic of Avalon with jumbotrons shown. It's like as if it were to be in a setup of a concert held inside a stadium or so.

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

"Your attention please!" spoke the female PA announcer. "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, by order of the Supreme Leader and the Chaos Council."

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.

"Putin khuylo! Russkiy voyennyy korabl, idi nakhuy! Glory to our Avalon!" screamed a female prisoner too in a more louder voice than his.

They pressed the button and the landmines exploded over the wandering Coalie soldiers, killing them in a big explosive.

Just like the previous day's festivities in both Titanic City (outside the Vault) at noon, and in Diamond City at midnight, everybody cheered in celebration and jubilee as the labor camp 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. Isn't it kickass?

JUNE 25th, 2042 -- YANKEE STADIUM, TITANIC CITY, AVALON

"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."

"And what's your affiliation?"

"I am the member of the Communist Party of Vietnam. My wife is the chairwoman of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front and my son is the member of the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Organization. Remember this, my High Captain."

"Ah, I see. I mean you think Britannia gives a shit?"

TO BE CONTINUED...