Prologue: Through The Rain

Through The Rain

February, 22 2032

Location: The Capital of Aquino Republic

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The rain pelted against the state windows, a steady rhythm that seemed to sync with Angelo Delun's heartbeat. He stood before the glass, watching the city through the downpour, where the blurred lights mirrored the excitement of the people below. The crowd had gathered, faces turned upward, anticipation hanging in the air.

Angelo glances towards something in the reflection.

They're out there, a solemn appreciation filling him. A sea of eager faces, ready to hear what I have to say. They think I'm their guide through the storm.

He turned slightly away from the window, the chill of the air a stark reminder of his responsibility. "They believe I have the solutions," he murmured to the empty room. "And it's up to me to meet that expectation. It's a delicate dance between trust and uncertainty."

The door creaked open, and his aide stepped in, urgency flickering in her eyes. "Civil Chancellor Delun? The crowd is waiting for you."

"Waiting?" He straightened, readying himself. "Let's not keep them any longer."

As he opened the door, the cool air washed over him, invigorating yet heavy with expectation. The crowd's energy surged, a collective force filled with hope and trepidation.

"Look at them," he observed, scanning the sea of faces. "Standing out there, soaked to the bone. It's a testament to their determination."

Stepping onto the balcony, rain misted against his skin. The sight of the crowd was both exhilarating and humbling—each face reflected the hope and fear that permeated the air. They wanted reassurance and guidance in the midst of uncertainty.

He grasped the podium, fingers tracing the cool wood as he steadied himself. The crowd quieted, their anticipation merging with the sound of the rain, creating an almost sacred atmosphere.

This is where we bridge the gap, he thought, heart quickening with purpose. This is not merely a speech; it's a chance to remind them of their strength and resilience.

As he leaned slightly forward, he felt the energy shifting, charging the air around him. "They believe I possess the answers," he reflected. "Good, it's much easier to lead if they're too busy looking up to see the strings."

With one last glance at the rain-soaked crowd, Delun felt clarity rising within him. We are on the brink of something significant, a moment that can define our path forward. He straightened, the weight of expectation settling comfortably on his shoulders. It was time to lead them through the storm, one carefully chosen word at a time.

"Citizens of the Aquino Republic, my fellow Alerians…"

Today marks twenty years since our country rose from the ashes of a fractured past—a past ruled by those who clung to power, with neither vision nor resolve. But this day is not just a celebration of our nation's founding. No, this is the anniversary of the new age, the birth of a united, unbreakable Aquino. An Aquino that leads. An Aquino that endures.

Delun pauses

" In just fifteen years, we have reshaped the Indo-Pacific, not as mere participants in history, but as its architects. We did not wait for others to grant us our place on the world stage—we seized it. From the very first day, the Aquino Republic has led the Development of the Indo-Pacific Region Administration, driving progress, building strength, and ensuring that the voices of the Alerians were heard in every corner of the globe.

But make no mistake—our rise was never promised. It was earned. By the sweat of our brows and the iron of our will, we defied the skeptics who thought our people would fracture under the weight of history. Instead, we forged something greater. We built a Republic that stands as a beacon of power, of order, of unwavering resolve.

We did not achieve this by clinging to old ideals. The Aquino Federation, for all its democratic pretensions, was a relic. It had grown weak, a puppet of foreign powers with no true vision for our future. Under my leadership, under our leadership, we tore down what no longer served us. We embraced a system that embodies the strength of authority and the clarity of purpose—a direct, authoritarian democracy where we act, not debate.

But today, we stand at the precipice of something far greater. Around the world, battle lines are being drawn—lines not of territory, but of ideology. NATO, the CSTO, the old powers—they all vie for dominance, pulling nations into a conflict of ideals, a struggle for control over the soul of the future. They would see DIPRA as a pawn in their grand game. Us, the Aquino Republic, But we are not pawns.

Let me be clear. No nation, no federation, and no alliance can dictate the course of our destiny. Aquino does not kneel before the whims of others. We will not be swayed by false promises or thinly veiled threats. In this coming storm, Aquino will stand firm. We will lead. And should the fires of conflict be stoked—let it be known, we will emerge stronger than ever before.

Our nation has always thrived in the face of adversity. It is in our blood, our history, and the future we are shaping. We, the Alerians, are not entitled to prosperity. We earn it. We build it with every decision and every sacrifice. And now, as the world teeters on the edge of an uncertain future, we must be ready. Ready to seize what is ours, to protect what we have built, and to lead a new order, one shaped by the strength and clarity that only we possess.

The challenges ahead will not be easy. But know this—we have faced darkness before. We have faced doubt, hardship, and uncertainty. And each time, we emerged stronger, more united. Today, as we look to the next fifteen years, we stand prepared not only to survive but to thrive.

To those who would seek to challenge us, to undermine what we have built, I say this: We do not falter. We do not retreat. We advance. Always forward, never back.

Fifteen years ago, the Aquino Republic was born. Today, we declare to the world: We are here to stay—unbroken, undaunted, unstoppable.

Together, we will shape the future, not as followers, but as leaders. And as long as we remain united, as long as we remember who we are and what we fight for, there is nothing—nothing—that can stand in our way. 

Aleria moves forward we are not going back.

Thank yo-"

*KRAKOOM*

An explosion occurs causing debris to fall near the podium