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When we left off last time, Daley Miller’s tyranny had been brought to an end during the September Revolution of 2097, led by three notable figures:

James Hall, former General of the Georgia Defense Guard, who led the actual military resistance against Miller and his French Squadron.

Kylar Killian, a revolutionary writer, who wrote several notable pamphlets and pieces speaking out against both the Board of Trustees and Daley Miller.

Jacey Olson, French Squadron Leader, who defected, joining James Hall and helping turn a majority of the FS against Daley Miller.

However, before we actually talk about the contents September Constitution and the current government, it’s important that we backtrack to talk about the exact roles these three played in the September Massacre, Revolution, and Constitution.

The “Founding Fathers”

James Dylan Hall, born in 2060, is the patriarch and founder of the Royal Family. His father was a high ranking government official during the Board of Trustees era of government. At 18, James joined the Georgia Defense Guard, loving the adventure and the feeling that he was doing something. He quickly climbed through the (short) ranks of the Georgia Defense Guard, thanks to his quick wits and the high turnover of military officers. By the age of 34 (2094), James was the General of the GDG.

Kylar Killian was born in 2075 as Kyla Killian, to a school teacher and a clothing store owner. Kylar’s father died from an IR infection when Kylar was only 3, and his mother’s income was rarely enough to support him, her, and his twin younger brothers. Kylar took on odd jobs starting in his early teenage years, in order to help support his family. In his little free time, he found himself writing, criticizing the Board of Trustees’ government everything from their spending to their lack of care in contact tracing and containing IR victims. When he was 18 (2093), Kylar began spending what scant money he had (in an extremely volatile economy) to publish his works. By the time he was 20 (2095), Kylar had grown more popular than he had been expecting and garnered the attention of the Board of Trustees. He was put under house arrest in late 2095, and forbidden from publishing.

Still, he continued under a new pseudonym. The Board of Trustees, after realizing this, sent General James Hall of the GDG to interrogate Kylar Killian. At 10:30am on the morning September 2nd, 2096, James Hall arrived at the residence of Kylar Killian.

Ten minutes later, the September Massacre of 2096 would begin. Daley Miller and his militia, inspired partially by Kylar’s writing, stormed the Board of Trustees building, quickly overtaking the Board of Trustees' government and establishing his own. James would take shelter at Kylar’s residence, much to the amusement of Kylar.

As Miller's government began, Kylar was invited to help organize it. Miller found him quite annoying within days. However, he knew that killing Kylar would look bad on his own government, so he put Kylar under house arrest, for a second time. Kylar, in response, started publishing under a pseudonym once again, criticizing Miller’s dictatorship, but unlike with the Board of Trustees, Miller was never able to identify him.

The entire time while MIller was in charge, James continued to take shelter at Kylar’s residence. Shaky understanding of one another soon turned into a friendship, which soon turned into something more. Despite his initial dislike for Kylar, James found himself admiring Kylar’s willingness to stay true to his values and his intelligence. Kylar, with a normally abrasive nature, softened, as he realized James was just a normal person who had been led astray by his ambition and achievements.

As the anniversary of Miller’s takeover got closer and closer, James and Kylar both realized that something had to be done, and someone had to stand up against the grant. Using James’ military experience and Kylar’s writing ability, they were able to rally a force, and at 7am on September 18th, stormed Miller’s government building.

Jacey Olson, born 2064, was the leader of the French Squadron throughout Miller’s reign. He had grown disillusioned with Miller’s government, but feared retribution if he left or spoke out. As James led his forces into Miller’s building, Jacey denounced Miller’s government in front of a large portion of the French Squadron. Roughly half, including Jacey, defected, joining James’ forces and overtaking the remaining Squadron members and killing Miller.

Establishment of the September Constitution and the Hall Royal Family

During his second house arrest, Kylar had privately begun drafting a new constitution, one he imagined could be put into place if Miller’s government was overthrown. Soon after James and Jacey’s success, Kylar presented his constitution concept to them in private, which earned approval from both. Kylar then publicly shared his constitution with the people of Atlanta and called for their approval to create a stable government which could help the people. It was overall accepted, and was called into temporary effect on September 19th, 2097.

Kylar then reached out to the governments of Savannah and Macon, who had been observing the chaos from a distance, and asked them to join the State of Georgia, as the government was called then. Although they were initially skeptical, they both joined officially on September 20th, 2097.

Atlanta, Savannah, and Macon would officially be the founders of the State of Georgia.

In the first year, James and Kylar would serve as co-leaders, putting Jacey Olson in charge of their armed forces, then called the “Georgia Guard”. (After the establishment of James and Kylar as kings, this would be changed to the “Royal Guard”, as they felt the name Georgia Guard was too similar to the GDG’s name.) Kylar would do most of the technical work, creating guidelines for departments, and organizing what they had. James would do most of the networking part of creating a new government, hiring people, and becoming the lovable face of the new government. Over time, the constitution was fleshed out, and the citizens of Georgia were updated every step of the way, until a finalized draft was completed on June 1st, 2098.

On May 2nd, 2098, James and Kylar would get married in a relatively small ceremony, and their only child, Ciara Kyla Hall, would be born on August 25th, 2098, only weeks before the vote on the Constitution. Days later, Jacey Olson would propose an amendment, naming James and Kylar as kings and changing what was supposed to be a Council and President into a Council and Monarch. His petition earned thousands of signatures, and garnered enough attention to put the amendment on the ballot.

The day of the vote, September 18th, 2098, eventually arrived. James, Kylar, and Jacey did their best to make voting as accessible and secure as possible, throughout all three zones at the time. By the end of the day, the September Constitution was passed with 76% of the vote. The Monarchy Amendment of 2098 would only pass with 58% of the vote, but still over the required 51% margin.

James and Kylar Hall were made monarchs until their abdication or death, and the Hall Royal Family was established.

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Despite the fact they locked their door, Grady still sat at their desk, shuffling through invisible files. She often busied herself with tedious tasks while they were gone, to keep herself distracted, and this time was no different.

“Whatcha up to?” Piers dropped their weapons on the desk. Grady grumbled, some of the files likely glitching out in her vision.

“I was working on security plans for the Coronation Dance. Comm. Benj wants less of his personnel here, because he believes there may be a terror attack on the Perimeter, either from radical groups here or from Florida. Comm. Sei and Dad think otherwise, but I really am with Benj on this one. If we shift all personnel to the Palace, we will leave ourselves vulnerable.”

“What’s Commander Lopez’s opinion on it?”

“Hell if I know. He fucked off to the coast this weekend for ‘navy training purposes’ but I think it’s because he doesn’t want to put up with this. Any updates on Lennox?” With a grand gesture, she closed the invisible stack of files, moving them out of her vision, then spinning in their chair to watch them.

They talked as they shed their outermost layers, “He’s having a moment, but then again, he’s always having a moment. Did Marcie come by, like you said?”

“Unfortunately, yes. Adele wants to talk to you, and Marcie came to get you. I told her you were working out and would be up there as soon as you were done.”

Piers walked into their closet, still talking, as they pulled off the thermal underwear, “Which wasn’t entirely untrue. Did she mention anything in particular for why Adele wanted to talk to me?”

“Nope. Just please wear something nicer. You can’t get around wearing sweats and a tshirt all day.” 

“Fuck you.” After yanking a pair of black slacks off the hanger, Piers inspected the fabric, before pulling them on, followed by a black button down and a green sweater they loved dearly, “Does this work?”

Grady poked her head in, as they worked on tucking in the shirt. “Good. Marcie said to meet her at Adele’s floor.” Piers stuck their tongue out at Grady as they plopped down on the bench and pulled on their shoes. She helped them back onto their feet. “Do you want me to come with you?”

“I’ll be fine. You do your work stuff.” 

The ride down to Adele’s floor was short, only a few levels. Lo and behold, Marcie stood there waiting when the doors opened.

“Oh sweetheart, I’m glad you’re here.” The older woman hugged them tight, before ushering them down the long hallway of closed doors, “Adele’s been wanting to see you today, but Grady said you were busy. I knew you just needed time to blow off some of your nervous energy. Come on.”

“It just hurts me to see her hurting.” They responded, as the two came to the big doors at the end of the hallway. The guards, in gray and bright red, stood flanking the door, and snapped to attention. 

“Me too, Piers. She’s been through hell, ‘n the devil spat her out for being too stubborn every time.” 

They pushed open the doors, together. At the vanity sat Adele, with her back turned to the door. She dabbed at her face with a makeup sponge, the rest of her makeup strewn all over the countertop. A billowy red dress swallowed her up, making her look smaller and even frailer. She spotted Piers’ reflection in the mirror, before turning around.

“Hello.” She gave a soft smile, straining to get up from her seat at the vanity. In Piers’ peripheral, Marcie flinched in sympathy for her best friend. Piers couldn’t bear to imagine Grady in the same situation.

“Marcie, can I speak with my mom alone?” They asked her, as Adele came over. With a polite nod, Marcie left, heading back into the depths of the Palace to do who knows what.

“Hey mama.” Piers greeted Adele, as she hugged them tightly. Tipping their chin up, they were just tall enough to rest it on top of her head. When they were little, she’d seemed so tall, so powerful.

“I’m glad to see you Jilly-bean. Marcie told me the Coronation today didn’t go as planned. Was it Miles?” She took their hands in hers, guiding them towards the plush red couch near the center of the room. Piers sat down with her, propping a leg up as they leaned on the arm.

“Mason, I think. Miles pretty much stuck to the script.” 

She nodded thoughtfully, before her demeanor hardened. “I saw you walked out without saying anything. You were supposed to give a speech, Piers, and you didn’t. I specifically asked you to, and you told me you had written something up.”

Fuck Adele for watching the broadcast. “Look, what was I supposed to say? ‘Sorry you hate my family, I’m gonna fix everything that’s wrong?’”

“Yes!” Adele snapped, “Jillian Piers, you should have just said something. Anything, literally anything, would have been fine! You had a chance to establish their first impression of you as Monarch and you threw it out the fucking window. I’d give anything to have that chance again.” She took their hands in hers, her red nails digging into their skin as she squeezed “Jill, I just want what’s best for you.”

“I know mama…” Piers sighed, as they pulled their hands away, before changing the topic so Adele couldn’t get onto them anymore, “How’s your day been? Have Marcie and the royal guards been treating you well?”

“As best they can, considering…everything.” She gestured about the situation in general, “Charoen came up today, and I’d appreciate it if you can pay xir a visit. I think it’d be good for you and xir. Also, if you could send David up here, that would be fantastic. Marcie, bless her heart, she’s sweet but you start to get sick of people after you’ve known one another for fifty years.” Laughing, Adele leaned her head back, staring up at the ceiling.

“Is that how Grady and I are gonna get? Am I gonna get tired of her once we’re both old.”

“Hey, I’m not that old Ja-Jillian. 54 is not old” Adele sat up to look at them, gray eyes tearing into their soul, and Piers backed off.

“Alright, Alright…” Piers put their hands in the air, backing off, “I’ll go pay Dr. Panya a visit. I got some stuff to finish up tonight, but I’ll be by tomorrow morning to go through some of the stuff you left in your office.”

“Good. I’ll see you then. Now go bother Charoen instead of me.” Adele teased them as they got up, and Piers smiled.

“See you tomorrow. Have a good night.”

Slipping out the big heavy doors, Piers closed them with a soft click. Then, they let out a long, shaky sigh, wiping their eyes as tears started to form. The guardsmen at the door awkwardly looked at them, halfway between attention and ease. 

“You’re fine. Don’t salute.” Piers waved the guardsmen down, before brushing themself off and heading for the elevator. For years, Piers had avoided Dr. Panya, and Dr. Panya had avoided them. And also for years, Adele had tried to get them and Dr. Panya to talk. The reclusive scientist never left the Lab, unless absolutely necessary, and Piers never went into the Lab, unless absolutely necessary. They’d spent enough time down there as a kid, sick with IR. The only time they willingly interacted with xir was when xe accidentally figured out about them sneaking out, and they begged xir not to tell Adele or Marcie. Or sometimes when they had to pick up their medication.

Their ears popped this time, as the primary elevator descended rapidly, until the little LED screen red B5. When the doors opened, they were greeted with a long, dark hallway. A bright light shone through the window of the ominous steel door at the end. If they turned to the right at the end of the hall, they’d pass by the service elevator, and out of the Palace. Today, they walked right up to the door and knocked. The metallic clang echoed in the dark.

After an awful screech from inside, Dr. Panya opened the door, looking Piers up and down with a judgemental glare. Xe wore the same exact thing Piers had always seen xir in: a blue jacket, a white lab coat, and a medical respirator, covering xir face.

“Why are you down here?” The scientist’s tone was notably short. They’d likely caught xir in the middle of something.

“Adele sent me. Plus I’m curious.” Piers replied, trying not to sound irritated, and Dr. Panya raised an eyebrow.

“I don't want you down here. Adele is welcome to bring you down here yourself.” Xe went to close the door on Piers, and they finally snapped.

“You asshole!”

At that, xe laughed. “You’re just like her. Put this on, we’ve got an IR cadaver out.”

Dr. Panya handed them a respirator like xirs, and they pulled it on. Finally, xe stepped back from the doorway, letting them into the Lab. The door shut behind them with a clang. Piers crept into the Lab, looking around. Everything was sterile, polished steel and bright white tile, meaning the light reflected off of everything. No corner was left unlit. Of the three surgical tables, only the middle was occupied. A cadaver, with the recognizable yellow growth on the lungs, was strapped down. Bent over it, wearing an apron, gloves up to their shoulders, and a respirator mask, was someone Piers recognized only by their cotton candy blue hair.

“Councilor Sidney?”

The politician jerked upright, a scalpel in one hand and tweezers in the other, blood up to their elbows. Their gray eyes went wide with surprise.

“Your Majesty! It’s a pleasure to see you again!” Sidney's accent was similar to Dr. Panya’s. 

“Marlowe studied in Athens’ world-renowned biogen labs, as expected for someone of their status and future, before they started onto their political career. Once they become Chancellor, they won’t have as much time for their pet projects, so I’ve been letting them work down here with me.” Dr. Panya pushed Piers closer to the cadaver, but they dug their heels into the ground. Councilor Sidney set the bloody tools down in the metal pan beside the cadaver, before stripping off the gloves, tossing them in a bin near the sink, before donning a new pair.

“That’s…interesting.” This was definitely out of their political knowledge. Science was a foreign language to them.

Councilor Sidney butted in,“It is, actually. After recent advancements in genomic replication technology, we’re currently seeing if there’s a way to use the tanks as treatment for Incaraneum Repartus. We’ve had…limited success so far but I have a hypothesis I’ve been wanting to test. I just need more data.”  

Piers wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that. Dr. Panya headed for the sink, grabbing a pair of clean gloves. 

“Why don’t you tell Their Majesty what you’re working on. I talked enough about my project.” Councilor Sidney prompted Dr. Panya, as they came to stand beside Piers. Piers was tall. Councilor Sidney was a giant, at least a half foot taller than them, maybe more. They had to actively look up at them, which was a strange feeling. 

As xe got to work with the tweezers, xe rambled “I’m researching another possible cure for Incarareum Repartus. What I used to cure you, it works…rarely. And it’s expensive. It’s just not practical and not entirely effective. The only reason I think it worked on you is that you…I see old habits die hard. They’re still using the old break action that he got them as a birthday gift in ‘89.” Dr. Panya produced a piece of metal from the body, holding it up for Piers to see, “Quick, what gauge is it?”

Piers stuttered, and xe laughed, setting it in the tray, “Trick question, you can't actually tell but it’s a 12 gauge buckshot. She doesn’t use anything different.”

As xe got back to work, muttering silently to xirself, Piers tugged on Councilor Sidney’s sleeve, whispering, “Who’s Panya talking about?” 

Councilor Sidney shrugged. Awesome. Piers was ready to dash. The Lab was freaky. Dr. Panya was freaky. Xir weird habits were freaky. Being around the infected was freaky without their mask.

“I think I should go…Grady needs me for…a meeting. Yeah. A meeting.”

Dr. Panya didn’t look up from xir work, as Piers snuck towards the door. “Liar. Councilor Sidney, see their majesty out, and shut the bar when you get back.”

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