"So what am I to do? I can resign this post. Have another vote and exclude myself."
Dante jumped, "Whoever takes over will have the same problems. Jon, you said you didn’t want to be Emperor, right? You have the power to change whatever needs to be changed. Use it to change everything."
Evan concurred with Dante, "You can set into motion a totally new form of government for The Empire. You can change us into a republic. Think back to the founding of America. George Washington won the Revolutionary War and was a beloved national figure. The politicians and the people were willing to hand him complete authority over the colonies, but he refused. He was elected President twice, but would not run for a third term because he felt that gave too much power to one man, a precedent that survived all the way up until FDR and then, after, the two-term limit was made a part of the Constitution because it was such a good idea."
"You’re talking about things I know nothing about. I don’t know the first thing about political systems and governments. I’m a General. I know how to fight wars. This other stuff…it’s for someone else."
"Point is," Evan focused, "sometimes the greatest leaders are those who give up power. That is what we need now, Jon. We need organization and institutions, not individuals. The people need to have faith and confidence in the government as a whole, not in a new Emperor. But right now, you are the Emperor and that gives you the power to do whatever needs to be done. Change the fundamentals of our nation and the economy will stabilize, the people will calm, and our nation will unite again."
Dante said, "We have a lot of it already. We have judges that just have to be organized into a new judiciary branch. We already have a Senate, so you’ve got the legislative branch."
"But the Emperor," Brewer conceded, "is not checked by those other branches. That needs to change. Is that what you’re saying? I’m not even sure how to do that."
"Then find someone who can," Evan said. "I’ll help, but I understand if you don’t trust me. There are plenty of political experts out there who can guide you."
"No," Jon spoke in a voice that sounded as if he had hit upon an idea. "I can’t do it. As long as there is someone with the title ‘Emperor’ then we’ll still have the same problem you just said. My first act as Emperor has to be the last act of any Emperor. This position has to cease to exist. I can go back to fighting the war and the people who know about this stuff can start building a new form of government."
Dante said, "Well, yeah, that sounds right. But you can’t just have the Senators bickering about this. Someone has to lead. We need an election for, what, a President? That will take time. I don’t know if we have that kind of time with the way things are falling apart out there."
Jon told them, "We already have an elected President; elected by the representatives of the people. You, Evan. We can morph your position into a new Executive Branch. From there, you can shape a new constitution and government through the Senate. You have friends in the trade unions and stuff, I got to figure you can use those connections to help calm things down."
Evan acted surprised. "I don’t know what to say. There are those in the military and Trevor’s old circle who will oppose me gaining such a position."
"You're already there," Jon said. "The only difference is ending the position of Emperor."
Dante offered, "Evan can appoint people who were Trevor's friends as advisors, plus the Senate will provide a check, just like the old President. That's what this country used to have, so it will be familiar, people will take to it quick."
Evan shook his head as if disappointed and said, "I’m afraid there is a certain amount of tension in regards to the military-intelligence complex. Many people fear the influence of this threat, real or imagined."
"Then you appoint the right people," Jon said, "in visible jobs. People who are trusted for their independent thinking. Me? I want none of it."
"Someone must command our armies. I can think of no one better than you."
"But not visible," Jon told Evan in a voice that sounded relieved, "As long as I’m visible people might think I’m pulling the strings. Find the right people, Evan, and put together a new government."
12. Commander and Chief
Jon pointed to a reporter in the front row who said, "Jim Huffman, New American Press. So we're to believe that the military is just going to hand over control of the government?"
Several beads of water collected on Huffman's glasses. Like half of the reporters in front of the mansion, he did not have an umbrella to combat the sudden sun shower. The VIPs-Brewer, Godfrey, and the rest-spoke from the mansion's covered front porch.
Jon glanced at Evan who stood next to him at a bland podium. The President politely nodded as a signal that the General should respond. Indeed, the two came across as positively chummy on the porch that morning; a morning two days after Jon decided that the first thing he should do as Emperor was to end the existence of the Emperor's position.
"Well, the military was never completely in control of the Government. Trevor focused on fighting the war, but he dealt with all aspects of running the nation. I think what's happening here is that we're getting better organized and trying to change over to a full-blown democracy. I feel this is the best way to go about things because there is no way myself or anyone could fill the shoes of Trevor Stone."
Another reporter blurted, "Are you doing this because you're afraid of all the problems you faced three years ago?"
Evan Godfrey marched to the microphone with focused eyes radiating indignation.
"Jon Brewer has never been afraid of anything in his life. It takes courage to embrace change. It takes courage to plot a new direction for our great nation. Speaking for myself, I am humbled by his bravery in this."
Evan then selected the next question from the press pool. The wind blew a curtain of drizzle across the stage.
"Could you recap the major changes again? Is the new office of the President simply a new word for Emperor?"
"Not at all," Evan smiled as if teaching simple children. "Jon felt that the easiest way to make the first steps toward change was to morph my position as President of the Senate into a new executive branch. His last batch of orders as Emperor made this official. As such, I have resigned my position as Senator. While we are still working out the finer details, we will use the old American presidency as the model. The legislative branch will have the responsibility of introducing legislation and the President will either veto or sign off on those bills."
The reporter followed up, "Aren't you concerned that having a new 'President' without a constitution defining the position could lead to despotism? What checks exist on your power?"
"I resent the implication of that question. No one has worked harder for democracy than I. Yes, there are plenty of gray areas right now but I will work with Jon, the old Imperial Council, and the Senate to answer those questions."
The reporter would not let it go: "So you will be Commander and Chief? Does that mean Evan Godfrey is in charge of the armed forces?"
"As I mentioned, one of my first acts was to appoint Dante Jones Secretary of Defense." Dante, standing behind Evan, waved. Evan went on, "General Jon Brewer is the most experienced of our officers. He will maintain operational control over the military. However, the army is now under civilian control, just as it was in the old days. But, as I said before, Dante was a lifelong friend of Trevor Stone so you can trust that the oversight of military matters by the administration will be done in a manner consistent with Trevor's vision."
"Do you mean to say," another reporter joined in, "that the war will continue?"
Evan answered, "We remain at war. As President, I will give the military all the support and resources they require to fight for victory, although as the new system is developed I will need the Senate's help through a declaration of war and other legislative mechanisms."