1000 Montandon Avenue

[Clarenthia]

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"Commonwealth Plaza" is a special district within the Capital District of Palmerton which hosts the entirety of the Commonwealth System (or National Government). The Capitol Building, constructed in 1849 was the first building on the plaza where as the CBHS, completed in 1957, was the last. A series of underground tunnels connect every building for ease of transport. The most defining structure is Commonwealth Tower, completed in 1927, which houses the full Executive Branch and is the personal residence of the Governor-General.
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Commonwealth Tower (1927) - Houses the entire functioning bodies of the Executive Branch and is the personal residence of the Governor-General.

Capitol Building (1849) - The official meeting place of the House of Delegates and the Commonwealth Security Council, when in session. High ranking members find their offices within the building whereas rank-and-file have office spaces located off campus.

Hall of Sovereignty (1855) - Constructed in a gothic, fictional style due to the architect's affinity for the design, the Hall of Sovereignty is a museum to the country's founding and hosts the original draft of the Treaty of Western Sovereignty, which serves as the Commonwealth's constitution.

Aldane Plaza (1915) - Named after Governor-General Maxwell Aldane, the Plaza was a part of his "Country Beautiful" Initiative which was the first set of laws designed to preserve and protect the environment. Aldane Plaza was originally several office buildings before being torn down and turned into public green space.

Soldier's Grove (1917) - The second park mandated by Governor-General Aldane, Soldier's Grove also serves as a memorial to all those have served in the Commonwealth Defense Forces past, present, and future.

Supreme Courthouse (1901) - Relocated to the Plaza to consolidate government property, the Supreme Courthouse is the official working place of the Supreme Court.

National Archives (1889) - The National Archives were constructed to house and restore vital records of importance to the Commonwealth. Parts of the building are open to the public as a museum.

CBHS (1957) - Reorganizing almost all security agencies of the Commonwealth into one entity under the Commission for National Defense, the government created the Commonwealth Bureau for Homeland Security and relocated it to a new complex fit for its needs.

 

[Clarenthia]

Office of the Protector-General
Main Capitol Building
1005 Montandon Ave.
Palmerton, C.D. 17501

“You should see the horrible things they say,” chimed Aston Notleigh as he was cutting into his steak “Their blood is on your hands! You’re a murderer! You’re an Orton shrill!”

Aston was sitting across from Norman Baygents, the Protector-General of the Commonwealth and as such, the chief officer of the Commonwealth Security Council. The Council, was a twenty-four-member body, two from each State. One was democratically elected and the other was appointed by the State Legislatures, both served six-year terms. Norman had served on the Council since 1979 and had been Protector-General since 2001. The years had certainly taken their toll on him. Snow white hair, combed back, sunken eyes and wrinkled face, but covered in a constant scowl. In spite of his age, he had a certain presence of strength which was imposing enough to have kept him in his position, overcoming numerous ambitious types from up and rising stars to Governors-General themselves.

“It certainly presents its challenges,” the Protector-General spoke, before putting a piece of steak into his mouth and making eye contact with Aston.

By contrast, Aston was young, a tall and slender frame with jet black hair. He carried a liveliness to him that people found themselves attracted by. He knew how to work a room and it was his talents in talking to people that saw him manage to unseat a powerful incumbent to take his spot on the Commonwealth Security Council from Deppegrave. The State had twice as many people than the second most populated, so statewide elections there – especially for high profile office – were always watched with critical attention. His position, as a Councilor from Deppegrave, gave him quite a bit of swing in the Council.

“If I may,” Aston put down his fork and knife and looked at the Protector-General, meeting his eyes “One such letter said that it was my failings and shortcomings that resulted in the condemnation of thousands of Treatyfolk to death. They seem ever so convinced that the war in Bourgogne is the start of a much larger, global affair that will have no benefit and only take lives. I’ve had many..uh, conflicting thoughts on the future of the conflict. What thoughts have you had on the matter?”

“I should recommend you find yourself a thicker skin,” the Protector-General used his napkin to dab at his mouth.

“Be serious, if you will,” the Commissioner’s election-winning smirk returned to his face.

“Twelve years you served in the House of Delegates, four in the Council,” The Protector-General put down his own utensils and looked the man directly in the eyes. It appeared as though he was looking down on Aston, despite Aston being taller. “Have you not, in any of those sixteen years of public service been blamed for a pothole, a rogue judge gone mad and corrupting justice, taxes being too high, a whole conspiracy of lawyers and the government who have taken away a man’s driver’s license unjustly despite him having been caught while driving under the influence several times?”

“Well of course I have,” Aston chuckled “Once a woman called my office to complain that her neighbor was not cutting his lawn in a pattern that was aesthetically pleasing. She was very upset. But that’s all small stuff, none of those decisions carried such consequences as people dying. So again, what have you thought on this? Tell me truthfully, why do you think we’re fighting this war?”

“It is small because your position was small,” Norman’s tone was monotone and crystal clear “None of the decisions you made were of much consequence because neither were you. Such is not the case any longer. Now you are the Foreign Commissioner, tasked with carrying the Governor-General’s foreign policy out. Roles of this weight carry criticism of an equal nature. You are presiding over a time when the Commonwealth is engaged in war, naturally you will be blamed for deaths. Who else would be?”

Aston was quiet for a moment. Norman’s words had pierced him, clearly, and he wasn’t expecting the response. He sat, contemplating a response, and then looked back at the man before him.

“It’s an interesting—” the Commissioner was cut off.

“You know, Eleanor Sinclair came to me in mid-November for dinner, much like the one we’re having now. She told me that she had mulled over a number of potential candidates for Foreign Commissioner but she had landed on you. She came to me because she wanted my blessing, which she knew she didn’t need, but rather she wanted to prepare me for the petty and bothersome trauma of the elected-Deppegrave seat being vacated. A new governor there would be overzealous to fill it and a horde of unqualified swine would find themselves making speeches across the state,” Norman told the boy “I told Eleanor that I didn’t think you would be a good fit for the role, which surprised her. I understand why you were chosen. Your academics are impressive as is your record and reputation for consensus building. But, Eleanor is an old woman who doesn’t fancy engaging publicly all that often but she wants a legacy with which will last beyond – presumably – 2025. You would be a perfect candidate to serve after her, you check off all the boxes, an easy win – an easy continuation of her legacy. Do not excuse my indifference to the politics of this country for ignorance.”

“Have I offended you, Mr. Protector-General?” Aston put down his napkin and tried to return a strong gaze at the man who had been berating him.

“Look out that window,” Norman pointed to the windows in his dining room, which had an excellent view of Aldane Plaza. Families were picnicking all over the park with children throwing frisbees to their dogs. “That there is my country. That is but a few of our total people, numbering more than forty million, who want nothing more than a good, prosperous life. I look out that window and see my sole, singular responsibility.”

“Your point?” Aston was not pleased, the Protector-General raised an eyebrow to the comment.

“We are fighting the war in Bourgogne, we are putting thousands of our countrymen there so that that can happen each and every day,” he pointed to the scene out the window again “It makes very little difference to me how many Burgundians, Gallians, Germanians, what have you, die in order to keep my country safe. We are fighting this war because you know very well what would happen if we were not. Orton would have his men down here carpet bombing all of Commonwealth Plaza in order to liberate the Treatyfolk from a government which had lead them astray – do you not remember the ‘unimaginable catastrophe’?”

“That’s it then? That’s what you have to say?” Aston showed his disgust.

“I say that you have to endure. And you will endure for them,” once more he looked out the window himself “It is our duty to protect them from the harsh realities of our world. So let them call you a murderer, shrill, a monster because at the very least they are alive and free.”

Aston sighed and looked around the room, fidgeting.

“I beg your pardon, sir,” he mumbled “I’ve suddenly lost my appetite. Perhaps we can meet again sometime soon?”

“Off you go then,” Norman sipped from his wine glass, not rising from the table to see the Foreign Commissioner out.