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The subjugation of the warlords that had once reigned over Coruscant was all but complete. The fighting had ended across the majority of the galactic center, and the remnants of those disloyal to the throne had been driven deep into the lower levels of the planet. Even now, the Sons of Ession and their new imperial counterparts swept through the lower levels like a cleansing wind. Soon, the entire planet would be pacified.
An expedient change of government was preferred. Coruscant needed stability, and the countless battles that had raged across its surface over the past few decades had rendered much of the populace desperate for some sense of normalcy. The faster the new regime was cemented in the minds of the people, the more quickly Coruscant could return to its status as the jewel of the core.
Millions of beings lined the streets that surrounded the former capital building. The structure had once served as the home of the Senate in eras long since over, and it would serve again as the seat of democratic rule. It was only right that such a place be chosen for the coronation; it was a symbol to the populace that while a new emperor might sit upon the throne, the nation's power truly remained in the hands of the people.
The Imperial Palace had been repaired as well with an expedience that would have impressed even the ancients. The restoration had dutifully lead by [member="Alyson Halle"] and @Shran; if their efficacy was a sign of their leadership abilities, then the Imperium had a bright future ahead of itself indeed.
A parade was planned. Cedric was adorned in full battle-plate, his armor still scarred from the conflict that had taken place the previous day. He chose to forego his helmet, allowing the people of Coruscant to see the face of their new Imperator. Some hated him and saw him as a conqueror. Others recalled the legacy of the Graysons and their dutiful service to the Republic over countless generations, and welcomed their new Imperator with open arms. Cedric was glad of them, and he hoped the policies he intended to put into place would earn him the love of those wary of a Jedi sitting upon the throne.
The Jedi Master was flanked by cordons of soldiers from both the Sons of Ession, and the local garrison. It was important that the people see the two groups working side by side - that they understood that all were united beneath the banner of the Imperium. The Essonians may have led the assault, but they stood on the same ground that everyone else did. There were no favorites in Cedric's Imperium. Battle tanks hovered on repulsors in sections along the parade line, and starfighters soared above the congregation, dropping payloads of fireworks that cast the evening sky in shades of green and gold.
The procession began at the Imperial Palace, and eventually reached its end at the first steps of the Senate Hall. A stage had been prepared just outside the hall. There were seats for each of those that had stood personally at the Jedi Master's side, and those imperial leaders that had wisely chosen to join the new regime. Beneath the stage was a throng of citizens of all stripes and creed, some caught in revelry, some cautiously curious about what might occur, and others simply there to say they ad attended the coronation.
A throng of priests dressed in flowing white robes wandered throughout the crowds below, offering sweets, credits, and small gifts to the onlookers in exchange for the opportunity to preach the word of the Holy Ashla. Cedric found himself smiling as he strode past the priests - they were enacting the Force's will in the purest way they knew. Perhaps in time, the very spirit of Coruscant might be raised up from the drudgery its people had been forced to embrace.
Cedric's legs were aching by the time he ascended the stairs. The parade had taken a good two hours to arrive at its destination, and even a Jedi could only walk so far before their limbs began to protest. He found great relief in taking his position at the center of the stage.
Loudspeakers had been set in place for miles around the Senate Hall. When Cedric spoke, his voice seemed to shake the very foundations of Coruscant itself.
"Brothers and sisters, I welcome you to this gathering in great splendor. For years, Coruscant and her sister worlds have wheezed beneath the boots of tyrants. She has not known peace since the fall of the Galactic Alliance, and even then the alliance was a weak government, treating the jewel of the core as if it were a resource world and little more."
He paused for a moment, partly to ascertain the crowd's reaction, and partly to recall each portion of the speech he had practiced nearly a dozen times the night before.
"Some of you have qualms about this change of government. You see the Essonians as invaders, conquerors, and while I understand this perception, it is a false one. The world of Ession stood as Coruscant's stalwart ally until the very day our planet was scourged by the Sith Empire. Like you, we know the oppression and brutality of tyrants. We are kindred spirits, brothers and sisters whose pact has been forged in blood. From this day forth, there are no Essonians, there are no Coruscanti, there are only the people of the Imperium."
Much of the crowd cheered. Cedric knew that the beginnings of it were brought on by the strategically placed priests, but much like any emotion, bliss among the masses was a particularly virulent infection. The people reveled, and Cedric could only smile.
"The Grayson family has long served the Republic, and by extension Coruscant. I have taken this position of Imperator not out of ambition, but out of service. The galaxy is fragmented. We stand on the edge of a knife, and only the slightest shift in the air could send us tumbling into chaos. It is for that reason that I declare the Grayson Imperium. With a strong central government, we can restore the core to its former glory. We will save the souls of the damned, and cast out the darkness that has bled its way into our people for so long unchecked."
Another pause. The cheering began again, stretching far and beyond the cordons of nearby spectators to the farthest groups of spectators. Cedric had suspected Coruscant First rhetoric would be popular given the planet's recent imperial leanings, and it seemed his suspicions had proven to be correct.
"I will not rule alone. Liberty is the soul of our people. With that in mind, I hereby declare the House of Lords. This House shall serve as the democratic body which runs our Imperium on the day to day. It will be made up of individuals elected by the people to serve as their representatives. The division of the classes will be abolished, and the subjugation of non-human species ends today. All rights are restored to the Coruscanti that call this world home, no matter their race or origin."
A final pause. The crowd roared now, the clapping so thunderous that Cedric's ears began to ring. The upper class would likely be less pleased about this change, but then Cedric had not come to Coruscant to aid the elite.
"Let this be known as the day the galaxy changed for the better."
Jubilation met his words. Exhuberant, Cedric stepped back form the podium, and turned to those seated nearby. They were expected to make their oaths of loyalty to the dynasty and the Imperium in front of the masses. Cedric awaited each of them, the Blade of Ruusan igniting in brilliant cerulean light so that he might 'knight' each of them upon the giving of the oaths.

The subjugation of the warlords that had once reigned over Coruscant was all but complete. The fighting had ended across the majority of the galactic center, and the remnants of those disloyal to the throne had been driven deep into the lower levels of the planet. Even now, the Sons of Ession and their new imperial counterparts swept through the lower levels like a cleansing wind. Soon, the entire planet would be pacified.
An expedient change of government was preferred. Coruscant needed stability, and the countless battles that had raged across its surface over the past few decades had rendered much of the populace desperate for some sense of normalcy. The faster the new regime was cemented in the minds of the people, the more quickly Coruscant could return to its status as the jewel of the core.
Millions of beings lined the streets that surrounded the former capital building. The structure had once served as the home of the Senate in eras long since over, and it would serve again as the seat of democratic rule. It was only right that such a place be chosen for the coronation; it was a symbol to the populace that while a new emperor might sit upon the throne, the nation's power truly remained in the hands of the people.
The Imperial Palace had been repaired as well with an expedience that would have impressed even the ancients. The restoration had dutifully lead by [member="Alyson Halle"] and @Shran; if their efficacy was a sign of their leadership abilities, then the Imperium had a bright future ahead of itself indeed.
A parade was planned. Cedric was adorned in full battle-plate, his armor still scarred from the conflict that had taken place the previous day. He chose to forego his helmet, allowing the people of Coruscant to see the face of their new Imperator. Some hated him and saw him as a conqueror. Others recalled the legacy of the Graysons and their dutiful service to the Republic over countless generations, and welcomed their new Imperator with open arms. Cedric was glad of them, and he hoped the policies he intended to put into place would earn him the love of those wary of a Jedi sitting upon the throne.
The Jedi Master was flanked by cordons of soldiers from both the Sons of Ession, and the local garrison. It was important that the people see the two groups working side by side - that they understood that all were united beneath the banner of the Imperium. The Essonians may have led the assault, but they stood on the same ground that everyone else did. There were no favorites in Cedric's Imperium. Battle tanks hovered on repulsors in sections along the parade line, and starfighters soared above the congregation, dropping payloads of fireworks that cast the evening sky in shades of green and gold.
The procession began at the Imperial Palace, and eventually reached its end at the first steps of the Senate Hall. A stage had been prepared just outside the hall. There were seats for each of those that had stood personally at the Jedi Master's side, and those imperial leaders that had wisely chosen to join the new regime. Beneath the stage was a throng of citizens of all stripes and creed, some caught in revelry, some cautiously curious about what might occur, and others simply there to say they ad attended the coronation.
A throng of priests dressed in flowing white robes wandered throughout the crowds below, offering sweets, credits, and small gifts to the onlookers in exchange for the opportunity to preach the word of the Holy Ashla. Cedric found himself smiling as he strode past the priests - they were enacting the Force's will in the purest way they knew. Perhaps in time, the very spirit of Coruscant might be raised up from the drudgery its people had been forced to embrace.
Cedric's legs were aching by the time he ascended the stairs. The parade had taken a good two hours to arrive at its destination, and even a Jedi could only walk so far before their limbs began to protest. He found great relief in taking his position at the center of the stage.
Loudspeakers had been set in place for miles around the Senate Hall. When Cedric spoke, his voice seemed to shake the very foundations of Coruscant itself.
"Brothers and sisters, I welcome you to this gathering in great splendor. For years, Coruscant and her sister worlds have wheezed beneath the boots of tyrants. She has not known peace since the fall of the Galactic Alliance, and even then the alliance was a weak government, treating the jewel of the core as if it were a resource world and little more."
He paused for a moment, partly to ascertain the crowd's reaction, and partly to recall each portion of the speech he had practiced nearly a dozen times the night before.
"Some of you have qualms about this change of government. You see the Essonians as invaders, conquerors, and while I understand this perception, it is a false one. The world of Ession stood as Coruscant's stalwart ally until the very day our planet was scourged by the Sith Empire. Like you, we know the oppression and brutality of tyrants. We are kindred spirits, brothers and sisters whose pact has been forged in blood. From this day forth, there are no Essonians, there are no Coruscanti, there are only the people of the Imperium."
Much of the crowd cheered. Cedric knew that the beginnings of it were brought on by the strategically placed priests, but much like any emotion, bliss among the masses was a particularly virulent infection. The people reveled, and Cedric could only smile.
"The Grayson family has long served the Republic, and by extension Coruscant. I have taken this position of Imperator not out of ambition, but out of service. The galaxy is fragmented. We stand on the edge of a knife, and only the slightest shift in the air could send us tumbling into chaos. It is for that reason that I declare the Grayson Imperium. With a strong central government, we can restore the core to its former glory. We will save the souls of the damned, and cast out the darkness that has bled its way into our people for so long unchecked."
Another pause. The cheering began again, stretching far and beyond the cordons of nearby spectators to the farthest groups of spectators. Cedric had suspected Coruscant First rhetoric would be popular given the planet's recent imperial leanings, and it seemed his suspicions had proven to be correct.
"I will not rule alone. Liberty is the soul of our people. With that in mind, I hereby declare the House of Lords. This House shall serve as the democratic body which runs our Imperium on the day to day. It will be made up of individuals elected by the people to serve as their representatives. The division of the classes will be abolished, and the subjugation of non-human species ends today. All rights are restored to the Coruscanti that call this world home, no matter their race or origin."
A final pause. The crowd roared now, the clapping so thunderous that Cedric's ears began to ring. The upper class would likely be less pleased about this change, but then Cedric had not come to Coruscant to aid the elite.
"Let this be known as the day the galaxy changed for the better."
Jubilation met his words. Exhuberant, Cedric stepped back form the podium, and turned to those seated nearby. They were expected to make their oaths of loyalty to the dynasty and the Imperium in front of the masses. Cedric awaited each of them, the Blade of Ruusan igniting in brilliant cerulean light so that he might 'knight' each of them upon the giving of the oaths.