Trouble in Paradise

[Asylan]

President Hollande sat in his chair surround by all the remaining members of the National Council. Many had been booted for corruption following the Asylan withdrawal from Augustaborg, and the ones that were left were incredibly angry. He knew this day would come, and he knew he would have to pay for it. The road to hell was always paved with good intentions, he thought.

"President Henry Hollande, for the purpose of public record I must restate the charge against you. You have been charged by the Republic of Asylan National Council for violation of your oath as President by willing corruption and endangering the safety of this nation. How do you respond to these charge?" A tall man, Speaker of the Council, said.

"Not guilty, Speaker."

"Very well, this impeachment hearing shall now begin."

----

Charles Pub
Eitlan, Asylan

"I can't even believe it, that bastard." Charles said behind his bar. He was pouring another beer for one of the customers as he was listening to the radio broadcast. "My nephew is a infantryman. He was in Augustaborg you know? He could have been killed. What was he thinkin?"

Another patron, Jakob, shook his head, "We all trusted him. I know how you feel. I thought the president can't just move the army about willy nilly like that?"

"He can't," Charles scoffed, "He just bought off enough councilman to do it."

Another patron at the bar, a lawyer spoke up, "He won't last long. I can see why he did what he did, but the council won't. He'll be out of office by noon tomorrow, guaranteed."

"What exactly did he do again though? I get it was bad, but the news has been a bit sketchy on the details." Jakob asked.

The lawyer, Mauno, took a big swig out of his own drink before he started talking, "Basically, he payed off nearly a fourth of the council using the mass of campaign funds he had been gathering for the election. He figured if he pulled this off everyone would love him for it and the free world would cheer him on as a new champion. No president has ever had an impeachment hearing successfully waged against them. Hell he'll be the first President to ever be unwillingly removed from office."

"Well," Charles said before raiding his glass, "At least the crazy bastard didn't pull the trigger."

"I'll drink the that."

"Me to."

Their glasses clinked at they downed what they had in their glasses.

OOC: Time for the consequences...

 

[Asylan]

He had spent the better part of the last decade building his political career. And now it was crashing down around him. He thought he was really doing what was best for his country, but he supposed all the bribes never helped either. Too many of his fellow politicians had some scrap of common decency in them and that, he was certain, was what destroyed him. He was in the Council chambers again, surrounded by his peers.

"Mr. President, in the case of Councilman Bradshaw, are you willing to admit to the amount of material wealth or bribes you had dispensed to him?"

He looked down, still with a somewhat shameful look on his face, "I did not provide any form of bribery to him."

"Mr. President we on several different occasions have noted that he attended lavish parties thrown at your residence and there are several transactions between both of your bank account."

Hollande felt cornered, "He is a friend of course he would attend parties that I had setup."

"And the money?"

Hollande looked over the Council surrounding him and looked back to the Speaker, very slowly he said, "Loans"

----

Recently promoted Admiral Lange stepped off the docks of the ship she had been sent on to a roaring crowd cheering her return. She couldn't believe what had happened, she had become a national celebrity for her restraint and refusal to engage Carentanian forces outside of Augustaborg. While the majority of the populace seemed to have detested the actions of the President, they loved her for dealing with the refugee crisis that had occurred earlier. She was certain her promotion to Admiral was both a mix of political concerns and her merit.

She was ushered to a convoy of black cars with crowds of the people cordoned back by a barrier of policemen. Lange sheepishly waved a bit and entered in one of the cars. In the seat next to her was the Vice President.

"Mr. Vice President, I had no idea I would be meeting with you."

"It's alright Admiral, I barely had any notice either. But I'm here for something very important, to both you and the country."

She raised her eyebrow, "What would that be?"

"You are registered to the United Libertarian Party yes?"

She nodded.

"Well, United Libertarian wants you to..." He looked as it it somewhat pained him to say it. "To run for president."

Her draw dropped, "Sir, I... I don't understand. I can't run for president, I'm a member of the military."

The vice president produced a folder and handed it to Lange, "A full honorable discharge from the military should you desire it. Call it retirement, call it whatever you like, its yours if you want it."

"I... I don't know..."

"Kirsten look, I know you are losing your mind right now. And that's ok, but right now dammit you have an opportunity to change everything about the way this country presents itself to the world. You can fix what President Hollande messed up. I know you are scared, but this is something you need to take advantage of."

"What about you, don;t you want to be President."

"Maybe, but after what happened to Hollande, I think I'm alright settling down into the Vice Presidency again, with you." He leaned foward, his tone getting softer, "And I would be proud, Kirsten."

She hesitated, "I... Yes."

 

[Asylan]

1 Week Ago
Eitlan, Asylan

"It is the will of this council that President Henry Hollande, be stripped of his position as head of this government. For the rest of his crimes against this country, we have requested a differment of judgement to the civil court system. Mr. Hollande you are relieved of all duties in this government, and are released from this court."

Hollande sat for a moment in his chair, dumbfounded. He couldn't believe his ears still. He must have know it was coming he though, but even still, he couldn't believe it. He had brought about his own ruin. There were people he needed to visit, people he needed to get fix this. It couldn't stand.

Capitol policemen stepped up and jarred him from his stupor. He slowly got up and accompanied him out of the council chamber, all them watching.

----

Kirsten Lange couldn't believe the speed in which everything was moving. She was forty two years old, was once a commodore, then quickly an admiral, and no on her way to becoming a president. She had been told that her polls were showing good. In fact, more that good, she was liable to win the election at this point. She had spent the majority of the past few weeks organizing her actual political platform, since she did not want to ride in on election by fame alone. She had given speeches at a few universities and had been to a few rallies. Asylan rallies usually didn't get to hectic, but still she had been very nervous with the excited atmosphere.

It had been a week since former President Hollande had been stripped of his presidency. Special elections were to be held the next week, something that many politicians were still wary on, but the law was the law. A new President was to be picked, and the Vice President was not excited about keeping his temporary Presidency. The country was ready to move on, and she hoped she could deliver, this wasn't an opportunity to pass up.