@Rabidporcupine The person who opened the door looked like he wished he hadn't. The baggy & bloodshot eyes, oil-smudged face, and moist chin, combined with his uneasy posture suggested he'd been sleeping.
"Hello? Sorry, my memory's kind of shit. Do we know each other?" he asked.
Violet's mouth formed a small O, which she covered up.
"Did I wake you? I woke you, didn't I? I am SO sorry! And I totally forgot to bring a gift. I'll...be back in an hour. Is that okay?"
Well, while I was dreaming up a scene exploring life on the Terran side of Charon, it inspired me to start another 1x1 RP for it. I hope you don't mind that I did that. I'm tempted to do a crossover between the RPs at some point, since they take place in the same timeline and (ultimately) on the same planet.
As far as the scene goes, I was thinking of telling a story about a brother and sister struggling to survive the tyrannical regime. The sister is the optimistic one, believing that the Empire will come save them someday. The brother is more pessimistic, believing that neither faction really cares about the individual and doesn't give a hoot if it doesn't affect them in any major way. One day, he's involved in a tragic event; I haven't decided whether he's put do death for racial prejudice, castrated for a false rape charge, loses a limb or two, falls sick of flesh-eating bacteria or cancer, or something else. If he lives through it, his sister tries to help him escape to the Crescent side of Charon, where the legendary Imperial healers can help him. He doesn't make it there, so the two of them are stuck on the Terran side of Charon with no way to get help. When our characters arrive during the climax of the story, helping this pair will be one of our missions.
The underground of the Crescent Federation were not, as propagandists would have you believe, particularly dark or dreary places to live. Rimgard, so named for its original role in protecting underground residents from the border conflict on the surface, was one of the brighter cities on Charon, and might have been a tourist attraction were it not still actively functioning in its original role. A gentle river flowed through the city, breathing life into every corner it touched before laughing over the waterfalls. Gemstones glittered like stars in the cavern roof, and together with the thousands of other warm lights scattered around the city, there was hardly a moment of darkness to drag a man down.
While many lived their whole lives never venturing to the surface, it wasn't particularly difficult to see true sunlight, if one were so inclined, and the surface, too, held wonders that the ground below could never rival. The frequent solar flares that often washed over Charon's magnetic field produced breathtaking auroras on an almost daily basis. Fields of flowers in rainbows of color stretched as far as the eye could see, tenderly grown by graying old soldiers to remind them of a home they would never return to.
Along the path beside one such field, a young woman knelt at the edge to gaze at a single flower, her chestnut hair playing a little in the breeze. She touched its petals one by one until, when she at last made a circle, a giggle dropped from her mouth.
"Good sir!" she called out to the elderly gentleman nearby. "Yes, miss?" "Are you a flower too? Because smell just as lovely." The old man threw back his head and cackled. "Now now, go on you, git! And blessed mornin' to you!" The woman tipped her hat and grinned. "That it is. That it is." She strode back down the path with a wheeled luggage case in one hand, snapping her fingers to a tune her lips whispered the words to. She took a public teleporter and stepped out of the station into what felt like a whole new world. As she navigated her way through the underground city, she couldn't help clutching her chest as she gasped at all the sights. Glistening towers, actual hovercars, and unique inventions with no equivalent back home dotted the urban setting. She almost forgot about her house until a well-placed You Are Here map reminded her.
When she arrived at the address of her new house, she took a moment to stare at it with satisfaction. The place was a little small for the neighborhood, but plenty big enough for one simple girl and any potential boyfriend. By the time she finished unloading all her things, however, an uneasy loneliness set in that drove her to march back outside, take a breath of fresh air, and set her sights on her next door neighbor.
The young woman reached for the doorbell. Her finger hovered over the button. In a few moments, she would meet another person with their own stories to tell, their own goals, fears, and histories, and their own unique personality. She would meet another mind, a creation of divine majesty unique in all the universe. And all it took was a few millimeters of movement.
We the People of the Crescent Federation, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Crescent Federation.
All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the Crescent Federation, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.
There shall be one Representative for every thirty thousand, until the number shall amount to one hundred, after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall be not less than one hundred Representatives, nor less than one Representative for every forty thousand persons, until the number of Representatives shall amount to two hundred; after which the proportion shall be so regulated by Congress, that there shall not be less than two hundred Representatives, nor more than one Representative for every fifty thousand persons.
No Person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been five Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.
Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of Persons in each State. The actual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after the first Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as they shall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall not exceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall have at Least one Representative.
When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State, the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fill such Vacancies.
The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.
The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, for six Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.
Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence of the first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be into three Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shall be vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the second Class at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Class at the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may be chosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen by Resignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature of any State, the Executive thereof may make temporary Appointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, which shall then fill such Vacancies.
No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty Years, and been ten Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State for which he shall be chosen.
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall choose their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.
The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.
Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States: but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.
The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of choosing Senators.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, and such Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December, unless they shall by Law appoint a different Day.
Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.
Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with the Concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.
Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may in their Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of the Members of either House on any question shall, at the Desire of one fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.
Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.
All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives; but the Senate may propose or concur with Amendments as on other Bills.
Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the Crescent Federation; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.
Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence of the Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary (except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to the President of the United States; and before the Same shall take Effect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House of Representatives, according to the Rules and Limitations prescribed in the Case of a Bill.
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the Crescent Federation; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the Crescent Federation;
To borrow Money on the credit of the Crescent Federation;
To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States.
To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the Crescent Federation;
To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;
To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the Crescent Federation;
To establish Post Offices and post Roads;
To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;
To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;
To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;
To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;
To provide and maintain a Navy;
To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;
To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;
To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the Crescent Federation, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the Crescent Federation, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings;—And
To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the Crescent Federation, or in any Department or Officer thereof.
The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.
No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or enumeration herein before directed to be taken.
No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State.
No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another: nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another.
No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time.
No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the Crescent Federation: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.
No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.
No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay any Imposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may be absolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws: and the net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State on Imports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of the Crescent Federation; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revision and Controul of the Congress.
No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Duty of Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enter into any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with a foreign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or in such imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the Crescent Federation. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows
Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the whole Number of Senators and Representatives to which the State may be entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, or Person holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the Crescent Federation, shall be appointed an Elector.
The Electors shall meet in their respective states and vote by ballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves; they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President, and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, and they shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for as President, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of the Crescent Federation, directed to the President of the Senate; the President of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votes shall then be counted; The person having the greatest number of votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed; and if no person have such majority, then from the persons having the highest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing the President, the votes shall be taken by states, the representation from each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states, and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice. And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a President whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall act as President, as in case of the death or other constitutional disability of the President. The person having the greatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of Electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the Crescent Federation.
The Congress may determine the Time of choosing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.
No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the Crescent Federation, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fifteen Years a Resident within the Crescent Federation.
In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of his Death, or Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers and Duties of the said Office, the Vice President shall become President, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case of Removal, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the President and Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until the Disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.
Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.
The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that Period any other Emolument from the Crescent Federation, or any of them.
Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall take the following Oath or Affirmation:—"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the Crescent Federation, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Crescent Federation."
The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Crescent Federation military, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the Crescent Federation; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to the Duties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the Crescent Federation, except in Cases of Impeachment.
He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the Crescent Federation, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest the Appointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in the President alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads of Departments.
The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the Crescent Federation.
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the Crescent Federation, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.
The judicial Power of the Crescent Federation, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.
The judicial Power shall extend to all Cases, in Law and Equity, arising under this Constitution, the Laws of the Crescent Federation, and Treaties made, or which shall be made, under their Authority;—to all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls;—to all Cases of admiralty and maritime Jurisdiction;—to Controversies to which the Crescent Federation shall be a Party;—to Controversies between two or more States;— between a State and Citizens of another State,—between Citizens of different States,—between Citizens of the same State claiming Lands under Grants of different States, and between a State, or the Citizens thereof, and foreign States, Citizens or Subjects.
The Judicial power of the Crescent Federation shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the Crescent States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.
In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the Supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
The Trial of all Crimes, except in Cases of Impeachment, shall be by Jury; and such Trial shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed; but when not committed within any State, the Trial shall be at such Place or Places as the Congress may by Law have directed.
Treason against the Crescent Federation, shall consist only in levying War against it, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States.
A Person charged in any State with Treason, Felony, or other Crime, who shall flee from Justice, and be found in another State, shall on Demand of the executive Authority of the State from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the State having Jurisdiction of the Crime.
No involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, or as a restitution of outstanding debts following bankruptcy, shall exist within the Crescent Federation, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress.
The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the Crescent Federation; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the Crescent Federation, or of any particular State.
The Crescent Federation shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic Violence.
The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.
All Debts contracted and Engagements entered into, before the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the Crescent Federation under this Constitution.
This Constitution, and the Laws of the Crescent Federation which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the Crescent Federation, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the Crescent Federation and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the Crescent Federation.
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
The Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Crescent Federation, in Congress assembled, two thirds of both Houses concurring, that the following Articles be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States, as amendments to the Constitution of the Crescent Federation, all, or any of which Articles, when ratified by three fourths of the said Legislatures, to be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of the said Constitution; viz.
Articles in addition to, and Amendment of the Constitution of the Crescent Federation, proposed by Congress, and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to the fifth Article of the original Constitution.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
The right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.
No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the military forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective numbers, counting the whole number of persons in each State. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the Crescent Federation, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof, is denied to any of the inhabitants of such State, being twenty years of age, and citizens of the Crescent Federation, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such citizens shall bear to the whole number of citizens twenty years of age in such State.
No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the Crescent Federation, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the Crescent Federation, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the Crescent Federation, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
The validity of the public debt of the Crescent Federation, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the Crescent Federation nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the Crescent Federation; but all such debts, obligations, and claims shall be held illegal and void.
The Congress shall have the power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article.
The right of citizens of the Crescent Federation, who are twenty years of age or older, to vote in any primary or other election for President or Vice President, for electors for President or Vice President, or for Senator or Representative in Congress, shall not be denied or abridged by the Crescent Federation or any State by reason of age, sex, race, color, or failure to pay any tax.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
The annual rate of growth in total federal spending shall not exceed the rate of inflation, plus two percentage points, and neither budgeted nor actual spending shall exceed this limit, apart from the exceptions listed below. If no budget is passed, then the most recently passed budget, excluding any exceptions granted in Section 2, shall apply.
Defense spending shall not be limited during a time of formally declared war, and further exceptions to the spending limits specified in Section 1 may be granted by the legislatures in three-quarters of the several states, upon the application of two-thirds of both houses of Congress, as they deem necessary; but any such exceptions shall not be included in determining spending limits for subsequent years.
The spending limit for the first fiscal year following the cessation of hostilities in a declared war shall be the limit that was established for the fiscal year preceding the declaration of war, excluding any exceptions granted in that year, and adjusted for compounded inflation through all fiscal years completed in the interim.
The rate of inflation used in determining spending limits shall be the rate from the most recently completed fiscal year prior to the passage of a given year's budget, and the method of measuring inflation shall not be altered substantially from long-established norms. Spending that is not defense spending shall not be characterized as such; each exception granted by the States shall apply only to one fiscal year if not granted anew; and every citizen of the Crescent Federation shall have standing to sue in federal court to enforce the language of this amendment.
"Warp us to the starbase at Horus II. Know how to do it?" The corner of Sofie's mouth turned up slightly.
Ed's did too. Watch and learn, captain. She's the best dang pilot this side of the galaxy. Of course she can do it. He looked on with pride as Sofie commanded the other pilot seat, and watched in awe as her fingers danced along the control panel to select coordinates, tweak autopilot settings, and adjust flight controls. When her hand moved to take the throttle, Ed forgot to remove his, and their hands briefly touched. Though she swiftly curled her fingers away, the damage was done - the place where she touched him became sacred ground to the lovestruck man. Ed could still feel the tingle long after contact was lost. He blushed and released the throttle, struggling to hide his growing smile.
Sofie eased the throttle forward. The gentle acceleration pressed them into the backs of their seats, giving them a true, thrilling sense of flight that simulators could never fully replicate. The fusion rockets propelled the Raving Maiden through Crescent Prime's atmosphere, past the planetary shield barrier, and out into open space. The stars glittered like a million jewels in a midnight sea, and when the warp drive activated, every single one of them became like shooting stars, as if were wishing the young passengers safe travels on their maiden voyage out before fading into the black.
Captain Darcy let out an exaggerated sigh of relief and clapped his hands. "Your technique could use some improvement here and there, but that was a solid first try for a newbie pilot. Nicely done, m'girl. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take a nap in my bunks. Do not disturb me until we arrive at our destination, understand? Good." Without waiting for their response, Darcy flung his jacket over one shoulder and lumbered down the hall to his quarters.
Ed looked at Sofie and grinned. "Your technique could use some improvement!" he mocked. "Screw that! You did great, Sofie. Flawless technique. That old geezer doesn't hold a candle to you; I bet he's just embarrassed you showed him up on his own ship. He seems like a nice guy, though. I'd bet anything he's got some wild stories to tell."
You know how, in many fantasy stories, there's always ruins of an ancient empire and/or ancient heroic weapons, but the ancients are never around?
You know how, in many sci-fi stories, there's always a big, evil empire that exists solely to ruin the protagonists' day?
This empire is none of those things.
Welcome to the Milky Way in 3200 A.D. Back in the year 2500 or so, Earth's sole colony on 55 Cancri B declared its independence from the United Nations, forming the very first extra-terrestrial civilization in history. They named themselves Crescent, after the ancient Fertile Crescent, the birthplace of human civilization. The revolution sparked a frantic race to colonize as many planets as possible. Both habitable and uninhabitable planets were up for grabs, and within a few centuries time, the whole galaxy was settled. With the discovery of mana on planet Aion, and with it the wonders of magic, the Crescent Empire monopolized this power, and went from technological parity with the U.N. to far and away the most advanced faction in the galaxy.
Unlike their communist neighbors, however, the Crescents had higher ideals to use their newfound powers for. Inspired by the example set by the ancient United States, they brought freedom to every world they colonized. Their civilization flourished during several centuries of relative peace (punctuated, of course, by occasional conflicts brought on by cultural upheavals). This peace ground to a halt, however, when both the Crescent and Terran factions made a move to colonize Charon.
Charon was possibly the most dangerous habitable world in all of known space. Frequent solar flares, a caustic nebula, vast asteroid fields, and gravitic storms made it treacherous for even the most durable starships to traverse. But what made it valuable was its near-limitless quantities of titanium, the preferred resource for starship construction. Both factions settled the world, sparking a brutal territorial war that left both sides reeling.
In the decades after, the dust eventually settled and a narrow border formed between the two factions, dividing the planet in two. While the Empire and the U.N. are still technically at war, neither side is willing to make a move on the other, allowing an uneasy peace to set in. Your character is native to this world, a descendant of stranded soldiers whom the Crescent Empire was unable to bring home. With the benefits of magic and futuristic technology at their fingertips, life has become relatively easy for the Empire's citizens on this side of the border.
But for those living in U.N. territory on the other side of the border, only the horrors of tyranny await. The intrusive surveillance state stuck its fingers into every part of life, deciding everyone's place in society through psychological analysis and racial prejudice. Genocidal massacres against an arbitrary Evil Race of the Week made every waking moment a terrifying one, and perpetual starvation drives many to inhumane depths no living soul should ever endure. When they aren't scraping a living in this hell-hole, they're fleeing for the border, praying for a swift death they would otherwise never enjoy. The majority never make it across.
Few Crescents even think about their fellow humans on the other side of the border, let alone try to help them in any way. You don't either, at first; you're too busy enjoying a budding romance with your beautiful neighbor. But when a couple of lucky migrants show up at your doorstep hungry, naked, and sick, you're dragged into a struggle that threatens to reignite an old war and break the uneasy peace millions gave their lives to create.
Cunning enemies, unexpected allies, political intrigue, and a secret operation of unprecedented scope will turn your ordinary sci-fi life into an epic tale to be retold for generations to come.
Lord Zee
BellBottomBlues
Lewascan2