Difference between revisions of "James Newman"

Revision as of 17:00, 19 July 2005

Imperator James I [Newman] of New Haven was the first Imperator of the Modern Age. He brought New Haven from being a second-rate power in Haven to a player in interstellar space. He was originally the man who brought New Haven into the Union of Socialist Republics and then wrote the Imperial Constitution that brought New Haven out of it. He also ordered the exodus of every New Havenite from Earth to the systems, ending New Haven's claim to be a Haven nation.

Birth and Early Life

James Newman was born into one of the largest military families in The Island States, what New Haven was called before it went into space. He was born to Lieutenant Oscar Newman and Carmen Westinghouse, both of whom fought in the resistance against the occupation under the rule of Midlonia as teenagers. With the country's indepdence secured, both of the resistance fighters got married and had several children, of which the oldest was James.

Newman followed in the tracks of his father, joining the Freeport Military Academy by age 13. By age 18, he had graduated with a degree in Military History and Economics and the rank of Captain. Rapidly rising through the ranks, Major General Newman became the favorite military commander of President Rick Rivera, allowing him to become Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by age 30. Newman served as Chairman for five years before the UnAPS-Allanean War broke out and would forever change the course of history and Newman's life.

With Rivera's will weakening against constant fighting, Newman began to suspect the ruler was going to sue for peace and allow the country to become a puppet state. Working quickly, he assembled two divisions of loyal men and gained the loyalty and trust of the Freeport Militia (which at the time was tasked with protecting the President). On an unusually warm night in Freeport, as a partial lunar eclipse turned the moon blood red, the conspirators struck. Without firing a shot, Rick Rivera became a prisoner of the state and Newman was given the authority to assume the Presidency.

The Presidency

James Newman's Presidency began with bringing the UnAPS-Allanean War to a close. After an attack on the fleets by Phyrric and the invasion of Lietuveska, it seemed as if the war would continue for years. After careful negotiations between Lietuveska and Phyrric, a cease-fire was agreed upon that Newman decided to use as time to rebuild his fleets and prepare for a revenge attack on Phyrric which would never come. The UnAPS-Allanean War was brought to a close with the Treaty of Deriksburg, ending The Island States's period of intense warfare.

With the close of the war came calls for election. Newman held an election, where he ran against five other candidates that were unqualified and unfit to run. Winning with a comfortable lead, Newman began to settle down and become a family man.

His son and future Imperial Heir, Robert Newman, was born three years before his twin sisters Sara Newman and Ashley Newman. All three children grew up in the Presidential Residence, learning how to run a country from their father through bedtime stories and through home-schooling. All three of his children would later graduate from the Freeport Military Academy with high honors, which would later help establish an iron grip on the throne by all three children.

After the births of his children, Newman set about founding the Union of Socialist Republics, bringing together the nation with Hattia and Edolia, among others, into Union. The Union preservered, but would later crumble under internal strain and the collapse of Edolia.

After the One-Day War, the nation began a covert plan to arm its former enemy, Allanea to fight off foreigners that had attacked Allanea. "It was a major mistake on my part," Newman later recalled. "If we had supported the occupation, we would be having less problems with Mars as we do today." After a tense standoff with the Sentient Peoples over Haven, The Island States backed down before war could break out. However, with this standoff came the creation of something new.

The Founding of New Haven

With the colonization of the New Haven System, The Island States ceased to be bound to the Earth. Since it was no longer a collection of islands, it decided to name itself after its first colonized system. Eventually, the capital would be moved to New Freeport, along with it being the Freeport Military Academy.

Ascension to the Throne and Reign

One boring day in the Legislature turned into a coronation ceremony proclaiming James Newman to be the First Imperator of the Modern Era, effectively reestablishing the old Imperial style of government enjoyed before the occupation by Midlonia. After the ceremony, an assassin attempted to kill the Imperator. With one quick swipe, the assassin's head came clean off. As a show of power, Newman threw the head to the crowd that had gathered below the Citadel and proclaimed that assassination attempts would not be tolerated before having the body tossed over the side as well. The head of the assassin is currently being exchanged for packs of cigarettes and bottles of Red Star Vodka, a popular favorite of communists and socialists.

Newman immediately established a constitution, which was ratified unanimously by the Constitutional Committee. With the Imperium in full gear, nothing seemed to be able to stop the "Iron Imperator". Unfortunately, the old leader could no longer sustain himself. At the age of 65, the Imperator died from a heart attack, something he had always been careful to avoid.

With his death, the strength of his Imperium was tested. Its constitution laid out what was to be done, and it went off without a problem. James' son, Robert, ascended to the throne at age 23. It is expected he will carry out his father's plans and be a transitional Imperator until the next succession.