"The Cedrian Republic" from Secret Weapon and Last Hope
Once Peter was deposed, the Cedrians fled to the outskirts of the province. The new governor-general was adamant about eliminating all enemies, and the wars continued as the Cedrians defended their territory. To break free of the control of the province they declared themselves an autonomous republic. If they could secure their border and protect themselves they would no longer be victims to having the soldiers burn their homes and loot their villages. Freedom meant safety. But declaring the Cedrian Republic only insulted the governor-general even more, who was determined to recover the territories lost to the rebellious Cedrians. And the wars between the Cedrians and the governor-general’s troops continued.
“Your Excellency, the defensive lines have been breached. Our infantry is in full retreat.”
“Your Excellency?”
“The Cedrian nation is now an autonomous republic. As our prime minister, I shall henceforth address you as – ”
“Call me Dave.”
The advisor sighed. “If we treat you with dignity, the Cedrian nation gets treated with dignity.”
“Fine. Call me God.”
Lieutenant Gill burst into the Executive Chamber. “General Miller is sustaining heavy losses on the front. Our Western border is as insecure as a basket case on a big date. One mistake and our entire nation disappears into oblivion.”
“What do you mean?” asked David.
“Mr. – ” began Lieutenant Gill.
“His Holiness,” said David.
“Your Excellency,” said the advisor.
“Why do I have to go by ‘His Excellency’? It sounds so stuffy!” burst out David.
The advisor sighed. “Three weeks ago the Kingdom of the West Valley and the Duchy of the Great Mountains diplomatically recognized the Cedrian Republic. We have ambassadors on their way now. The more nations that recognize our independence the closer we are to being fully free. If we want to be recognized as a state – a government – a republic – we need to address you as our prime minister. Not ‘Dave.’ You are, and henceforth shall be, ‘His Excellency, the Prime Minister of the Cedrian Republic.’ It is crucial that we address you as our prime minister and recognize our new Cedrian government. Because the more nations that diplomatically recognize our government, the closer we are to being independent. To break off from the province gives us autonomy and freedom. Freedom means safety. Once we’re independent, we won’t be victim to genocide at the whim of the provincial assembly.”
“But, but! Divided we fall, united we stand!” interjected Lieutenant Gill, “Where are the delegations going in to negotiate peace with our neighbors in the province? Why can’t we work things out peacefully? Why must we always be running and hiding, living in isolation out of fear? We can’t just cut ourselves off from the rest of our province. Yet why do we pick up our guns – as a reflex – to defend ourselves and our nation out of fear of extinction? How is this war any better than when we were peacefully integrated into the province under the good years of Patrick the Great?”
The men all reveled in silence on the memory of their national savior.
“I’m not saying this is a good situation,” replied the advisor, “I’m just saying that defending our borders is the best thing we can do given the present situation we’re in.”
“And then what?”
“Our safety is secured. No more provincial guards storming our homes. We create our boundaries and both the province and the Cedrian Republic live in peace.”
But it’s not as simple as that. In fact, every social problem is infinitely complicated. The prime minister paused and reflected. Was Cedrian secession really the best course of action? Did the Cedrians really need another destructive war? Two nations had already recognized Cedrian independence. If David gives up now, he will forfeit all of the advantages that his people have been working towards for so long. Will living in isolation, cutting his nation off from the rest of the known world, do anything besides justify the paranoid fears of safety? The prime minister sighed. What an awful decision he has to make. What an awful burden it is to be a leader, the blood on your hands no matter what way you choose. Your nation will be slaughtered and your name will live on as the butcher responsible. Dave – his Excellency, the Prime Minister of the Cedrian Republic – took a moment of silence. He looked up at the portraits in the Executive Mansion of Cedric the Great and Patrick the Great. David sighed. Paused for a moment. Then cried.
The story continues in "Secret Weapon and Last Hope."
“Your Excellency, the defensive lines have been breached. Our infantry is in full retreat.”
“Your Excellency?”
“The Cedrian nation is now an autonomous republic. As our prime minister, I shall henceforth address you as – ”
“Call me Dave.”
The advisor sighed. “If we treat you with dignity, the Cedrian nation gets treated with dignity.”
“Fine. Call me God.”
Lieutenant Gill burst into the Executive Chamber. “General Miller is sustaining heavy losses on the front. Our Western border is as insecure as a basket case on a big date. One mistake and our entire nation disappears into oblivion.”
“What do you mean?” asked David.
“Mr. – ” began Lieutenant Gill.
“His Holiness,” said David.
“Your Excellency,” said the advisor.
“Why do I have to go by ‘His Excellency’? It sounds so stuffy!” burst out David.
The advisor sighed. “Three weeks ago the Kingdom of the West Valley and the Duchy of the Great Mountains diplomatically recognized the Cedrian Republic. We have ambassadors on their way now. The more nations that recognize our independence the closer we are to being fully free. If we want to be recognized as a state – a government – a republic – we need to address you as our prime minister. Not ‘Dave.’ You are, and henceforth shall be, ‘His Excellency, the Prime Minister of the Cedrian Republic.’ It is crucial that we address you as our prime minister and recognize our new Cedrian government. Because the more nations that diplomatically recognize our government, the closer we are to being independent. To break off from the province gives us autonomy and freedom. Freedom means safety. Once we’re independent, we won’t be victim to genocide at the whim of the provincial assembly.”
“But, but! Divided we fall, united we stand!” interjected Lieutenant Gill, “Where are the delegations going in to negotiate peace with our neighbors in the province? Why can’t we work things out peacefully? Why must we always be running and hiding, living in isolation out of fear? We can’t just cut ourselves off from the rest of our province. Yet why do we pick up our guns – as a reflex – to defend ourselves and our nation out of fear of extinction? How is this war any better than when we were peacefully integrated into the province under the good years of Patrick the Great?”
The men all reveled in silence on the memory of their national savior.
“I’m not saying this is a good situation,” replied the advisor, “I’m just saying that defending our borders is the best thing we can do given the present situation we’re in.”
“And then what?”
“Our safety is secured. No more provincial guards storming our homes. We create our boundaries and both the province and the Cedrian Republic live in peace.”
But it’s not as simple as that. In fact, every social problem is infinitely complicated. The prime minister paused and reflected. Was Cedrian secession really the best course of action? Did the Cedrians really need another destructive war? Two nations had already recognized Cedrian independence. If David gives up now, he will forfeit all of the advantages that his people have been working towards for so long. Will living in isolation, cutting his nation off from the rest of the known world, do anything besides justify the paranoid fears of safety? The prime minister sighed. What an awful decision he has to make. What an awful burden it is to be a leader, the blood on your hands no matter what way you choose. Your nation will be slaughtered and your name will live on as the butcher responsible. Dave – his Excellency, the Prime Minister of the Cedrian Republic – took a moment of silence. He looked up at the portraits in the Executive Mansion of Cedric the Great and Patrick the Great. David sighed. Paused for a moment. Then cried.
The story continues in "Secret Weapon and Last Hope."
