THE END OF AN ERA
The retirement of Dux Sato Hirofumi. 18 June 1969. Earth
After thirty-six years at the head of the Axis Empire, Dux Sato Hirofumi retired from all official duties. He was 85 years old.
His health, already fragile during the celebrations held on New Delhi for his eightieth birthday five years earlier, had continued to deteriorate. Hirofumi remained mentally lucid, but the burden of governing an Empire of more than two billion people spread across dozens of star systems had finally become too great.
With Hirofumi, several senior officers and members of the Imperial establishment who had served for decades were honourably discharged or retired from active duty. They were the generation that had witnessed the birth of the Axis Empire, the discovery of Trans-Newtonian technology, the first jump points, the first colonies and eventually the first wars among the stars against Raiders, Rakhas and Sentinelle.
Now another generation would have to decide what to do with everything they had built. For the first time since 1933, the office of Dux was vacant.
The last ceremony
Hirofumi’s final public appearance took place on Earth. Representatives of the Navy, Army, colonial governments, scientific institutions and the Axis Council gathered for the formal transfer of authority.
The old Dux refused to nominate an heir and declined any permanent position in the government that would follow him. He would retain only the honorary title of Dux Emeritus.
For the first time in more than a generation, the future leadership of the Empire was genuinely undecided. A few days later, Hirofumi left Earth, destination V577 Monoceri.
The choice surprised many. Outpost 42 had been established in the V577 Monoceri system after its discovery in 1942, during the early decades of Imperial expansion.
Once an inhospitable world, decades of terraforming had transformed it completely. By 1969 its atmosphere was breathable, its climate stable and much of its surface covered by boreal forests. More than 255 million people now lived there.
But the colony had never become one of the great industrial centres of the Empire. Its importance was different. Outpost 42 had gradually developed into a scientific centre, currently hosting ten research laboratories, with particular expertise in logistics.
It was quiet, distant from Earth, and surrounded by forests rather than shipyards. Hirofumi had chosen his final home. Following a proposal from the Axis Council, the colony was renamed in honour of the retired Dux: HIROFUMI, formerly Outpost 42. The old designation would remain in use as part of the colony’s historical name.
There, far from the government he had controlled for more than three decades, Sato Hirofumi withdrew from public life. But who would lead it?
For the first time since 1933, the office of Dux was vacant.
According to the official communiqué, Sato Hirofumi intended to spend what remained of his life “watching humanity build the future without him.”
The succession
The Axis Council rejected the idea of simply promoting the most senior surviving officer.
The Empire of 1969 was no longer the Empire of 1933. Its population exceeded two billion (2.307). Its colonies stretched across a vast network of systems. Its fleets had fought Raiders and alien Sentinels. Ancient cities and technologies were being excavated on distant worlds. Scientists were attempting to understand discoveries that could change the balance of power for generations.
Three names emerged from the Council. And each represented a very different answer with different traits.
CAPTAIN BERNHARD SUMACHBAUM - The Warrior
At 64, Bernhard Sumachbaum is the oldest of the three candidates and by far the most closely associated with the Imperial Navy.
A veteran officer and commander of the Balbo Strike Group, Sumachbaum has spent decades fighting on the frontier killing raiders and other enemies. He is also the current custodian of the CUBE, the only known artifact capable of teleporting an entire fleet
He is an enthusiastic student of war games, highly decisive and an exceptionally capable reaction commander.
Sumachbaum represents the military establishment that believes Imperial expansion has created something that must now be protected by force.
Under him, priority would likely be given to the Navy, frontier security, stronger colonial defences and the destruction of threats before they can reach the Imperial core.
The Empire must be defended.
COMMANDER ARKADIY FILIPPOV - The Explorer
At 45, Arkadiy Filippov represents a completely different generation.
A decorated officer, former combat commander and Hero of the Nation, Filippov currently commands the Imperial reconnaissance organisation on Earth. His career has combined combat experience with exploration, survey operations and service on the expanding frontier.
He is enthusiastic, professional and, unlike Sumachbaum, belongs to the generation that grew up with an interstellar Axis Empire already taking shape around it.
His supporters argue that the recent policy of consolidation cannot become permanent.
Beyond the present borders lie new systems, new worlds, new ruins — and perhaps new enemies. Under Filippov, the exploration fleets would eventually move again.
The Empire must keep expanding.
SCIENTIST JOCHEN SCHEELE
The Technocrat
The third candidate is neither a fleet commander nor a conventional political figure.
Jochen Scheele, 57 years old, is one of the Empire’s senior scientists.
With a 50% research bonus, Research Administration 6 and more than 14,000 research points generated during his career, Scheele represents the enormous scientific establishment created during Hirofumi’s rule.
His candidacy has attracted support among scientists, colonial administrators and those who argue that the Empire already possesses more territory than it can efficiently develop.
Ancient installations remain under study. Alien technology continues to be recovered. Entire colonies still require development, while Imperial laboratories attempt to reproduce technologies once considered impossible.
Scheele himself is hardly an easy establishment candidate, he is also known for having quite an ego. He has a long reputation for insubordination and difficult relations with authority. Perhaps appropriately, a man who spent much of his career resisting authority now has the opportunity to become its highest expression.
Under Scheele, the Empire would probably concentrate on research, exploitation of Ancient technology, economic development and consolidation of existing colonies before beginning another major wave of expansion.
The Empire must advance
THE ELECTION OF THE DUX
Three candidates stand before the Council (Voting will close on SUNDAY, 30 August.)
Bernhard Sumachbaum — THE WARRIOR
Military strength · Navy · Security - Continuity with Hirofumi
Arkadiy Filippov — THE EXPLORER
Exploration · Expansion · The Frontier - Still some defence, security policy
Jochen Scheele — THE TECHNOCRAT
Science · Ancient Technology · Colonial Development, controversial figure
The result will influence the direction of the Axis Empire in the years to come.
Cast your vote!
- Bernhard Sumachbaum — THE WARRIOR
- Arkadiy Filippov — THE EXPLORER
- Jochen Scheele — THE TECHNOCRAT
p.s. I’m removing all the “story character” tag after this poll. So we can experiment again retirement, natural death etc.
(Voting will close on SUNDAY, 30 August.)