Onto Old Glory: An Imperial Timeline

11th of May, 1007 ALB(1962 AD)

16:40 Hours

Griffonian Empire, Griffenheim

Imperial Palace, Kaiserzimmer

Breathing was the only sound that could be heard. That and the heartbeats from the heart monitor that was attached to Kaiser Grover, fifth of his name. The surgery had been a success, however there were some complications that the humans would only tell to the patient. Either way, the Kaiser looked like he would live, thanks to the miracolous technology of mankind.

Archon Eros VII sat next to the Kronprinz Grover, the next in line to the throne of the Griffonian Empire, as the archon was holding the child close to him, while the boy was playing with his toy train. In that room were a few nobles, most notably, Duchess Gabriela Eagleclaw and Grand Duke Gerlach IV. There was also Benito, alongside other relevant figures. All of them were there out of genuine hope or strategic desire.

It had been about a day since the successful operation performed on the Kaiser. And the doctor wished to wait until the Kaiser was awaken so that he could "discuss his current situation" - as the doctor said.

A small groan snapped them all out of their thoughts, as Grover V blinked his eyes open, slowly opening them before he looked around. The young Grover was the first to squeal with happiness as he fluttered over to his father. "Papa!" he squealed, before putting himself into the Kaiser's arms, embracing the griffon, as Grover V gave out a small cough, before he placed his talons around his child, embracing. "There, there, child.."

Eros VII muttered under his breath as he clasped his aging talons together. "Praise Boreas." he said under his breath before approching the Kaiser's bed. "How is your majesty feeling?" However, the room soon began to fill with voices of relief and thanking Boreas, as they all surrounded the Kaiser's bed.

Before Kaiser Grover the Fifth could answer, Benito cleared his throat, kneeling down infront of the bed. "Your majesty, the surgeon wishes to see you. Shall I allow him in?"

The entire room went quiet before Grover raised an arm up, letting it drop down onto the bed. "Bitte."

Benito nodded, as he got up, clicked his paw and made a swift turn, as he walked over to the door, gripped the handle and pulled it open. A group of humans in white coats began to fill the room, one man (which was Professor Walter Schreiber, the man who had operated the Kaiser) with brown hair with bits of grey stepped forward, as he bowed his head, lifting his head back up, before he began to speak. "Deiner mäjestat."

"Hello, professor." the griffon replied back, as he looked right back at the human who had potentially saved his life. "What is it that you wish to speak with me?"

Prof. Schreiber looked at the other doctor, who held out a clipboard, before grabbing it. "I regret to inform you that we were not able to save your life. " the professor began. "We were, however, capable of extending your life by 20 more years. We had to remove 3 organs, including the lungs and your kidney, and replace them with synthetic organs." the man inhaled, exhaling before flipping the clipboard. "During the operation, we discovered that your majesty had cancer."

The room went quiet, as the air became colder. "However." the doctor's voice cut through the stillness. "We managed to extract said cancer, but due to the lack of knowledge of the gryphon anatomy, and since your books did not help us much, we are now aware of the extent of the damage caused by the cancer. However, looking at your medical records told us enough that it was a terminal one.

As such, as the Imperial Family of Germany has already paid for full medical expenses, we are making what we call radiation therapy avaliable to your majesty. Prescribed medication will also be necessary in order to stop the pain and also stop your fur from falling off.

The damage caused by the cancer, however, was enough for us to be incapable of fully saving your life. As I mentioned, if you do the therapy and take the provided medication, you will be capable of living to 20 years, perhaps an additional five years, however, the damage was, from our understanding, too great to effectively cure you. "

The room, as soon as it was filled with sound, went just as fast out. The doctor crossed his hands, as he looked at the Kaiser with a rather sorry look.

Grover V simply inhaled, letting the air enter his lungs, before exhaling through his beak. He leaned his head back against the pillow. "I understand." he said. "I'll do whatever it takes to at least see my son grow.." a small cough, as he grasped his son in his arms.

The younger Grover simply returned the gesture to his father, thinking of it as a simple hug, as he was blissfully unaware of the conversation that occured. Not that he really understood the fancy words the humans were using. "So, you'll stay, papa?"

"Yes, my son, yes I will." replied the Kaiser in a quiet tone.

"Well.." the Archon said as he inhaled, and exhaled happily. "...thank Boreas for this great miracle."

"Indeed, your holiness." replied Benito.

WEST ZEBRICAN COMPANY DECREE

By the Grace of God, Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen of the United Commonwealth of America, Defender of the Faith, and Sovereign of all Her Realms and Territories,
in conjunction with The Right Honourable Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, on this auspicious day, do hereby decree and establish the West Zebrican Company.

Whereas, it is the duty of the British Empire to extend its influence, ensure the prosperity of its people, and open new avenues for trade, exploration, and resource extraction,
and whereas, the lands of West Zebrica hold untapped potential in their resources, wealth, and strategic importance to the Empire,
and whereas, the British Empire seeks to bring civilization, commerce, and British values to all corners of the globe,

Now Know Ye that We, Victoria, by the Grace of Almighty God, do hereby grant and ordain:

Article I – Formation and Incorporation

1. The West Zebrican Company shall be established as a legal and sovereign entity under the protection of the Crown and the Government of the United Kingdom.
2. The Company shall be granted full powers to govern, administer, and oversee the territories on the western sections of the continent known as Zebrica, as may be acquired or entrusted to its authority, in the name of Her Majesty and under the advisement of the British Government.
3. The Company shall be vested with the rights of trade, exploration, settlement, administration, and exploitation within the territories as outlined and assigned by the Crown and the Prime Minister.

Article II – Governance and Leadership

1. The Company shall be governed by a Governor-General, Sir Evelyn Baring as its' first, appointed by the Crown, with full executive and administrative powers within the territories of West Zebrica.
2. A Board of Directors shall be established in London, composed of representatives from the Government, the Crown, and prominent British business interests. This board shall oversee the commercial and political affairs of the Company, answerable directly to the Prime Minister and the Crown.
3. The Governor-General shall report directly to the Crown and the Prime Minister on matters of state, commerce, security, and colonial development.

Article III – Rights and Obligations of the Company

1. The West Zebrican Company shall have the exclusive right to extract, process, and trade resources native to the lands of West Zebrica, including but not limited to minerals, precious stones, exotic animals, and agricultural products.
2. The Company shall establish settlements, trade outposts, and administrative centers throughout West Zebrica to ensure effective governance, resource extraction, and expansion of British influence.
3. The Company shall maintain its own military and policing forces to safeguard British interests, secure the territories, and ensure peace and order.
4. The Company shall have the authority to negotiate treaties, manage relations with local powers, and, where necessary, wage war in defense of British interests in West Zebrica, with full backing of Her Majesty's Government.

Article IV – Obligations to the Crown and People

1. A portion of all profits and revenues generated from West Zebrica shall be returned to the Crown and the British Government, for the betterment of the Empire.
2. The Company shall commit to the development of infrastructure, including roads, ports, and communication networks, to ensure the prosperity of the region and facilitate trade with the United Kingdom.
3. The Company is charged with promoting British values, including the spread of Christianity, British law, and education, among the local natives of West Zebrica, in a manner that upholds the dignity and civilizing mission of the Empire.

Article V – Duration and Review

1. This Charter shall remain in force for a period of 100 years, after which time the rights, privileges, and obligations of the West Zebrican Company shall be reviewed and renewed as deemed necessary by the Crown and Parliament.
2. The Prime Minister, on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, retains the right to amend, review, or revoke this Charter should the actions of the West Zebrican Company be found contrary to the interests of the Empire.

Signed and Sealed by the Hand of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria,

This 14th Day of March in the Year of Our Lord, 1962.

By the Sovereign's Command,
Winston Churchill
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Government Order No. 142/1865
Authorization for Full Resource Extraction in West Zebrica by the West Zebrican Company (WZC)

In accordance with the Royal Charter for the West Zebrican Company, and in the interests of the British Empire, the following orders are issued:

1. The West Zebrican Company (WZC) is hereby granted full and unrestricted rights to extract and exploit all oil reserves within the territories of West Zebrica, without delay or hindrance.
2. All claims, objections, or protests by local native populations regarding resource extraction are to be ignored, and no interference in WZC operations will be tolerated. The interests of the British Empire supersede all local concerns.
3. The West Zebrican Company is granted full authority to use military force, or any necessary means, to suppress resistance to its operations. Any individual, group, or entity found obstructing or opposing the extraction process is to be considered hostile and dealt with accordingly.
4. The Company is permitted to execute any measures it deems necessary, including the removal or elimination of any resisting individuals, to ensure the safe and continuous extraction of oil.

This order is effective immediately and shall remain in force until further notice.

By Order of the Prime Minister,
Winston Churchill
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Approved by Her Majesty’s Command,
Victoria
Queen of the United Kingdom

Government Directive No. 234/X/1865
Authorization for the Edison Imperial Electric Company (EIEC) to Conduct Covert Operations in West Zebrica

In the interest of advancing British scientific and technological supremacy, and in accordance with the Empire’s objectives in West Zebrica, the following covert operations are authorized for the Edison Imperial Electric Company (EIEC):

1. The Edison Imperial Electric Company (EIEC) is granted full covert authority to conduct experiments on local populations within West Zebrica, including the abduction of native inhabitants for scientific and technological research.
2. The EIEC is authorized to detain, transport, and utilize native individuals for any experiments deemed necessary to advance the Empire's interests in electrical technologies, biological sciences, and energy development.
3. All operations are to remain strictly confidential. The WZC and British military forces stationed in West Zebrica are to provide indirect assistance where required, ensuring no traceable connection to the Crown or the British Government.
4. The EIEC is empowered to use any necessary force to secure subjects for experimentation. Any native groups that attempt to resist or expose these activities are to be neutralized.
5. All results from these experiments are to be reported directly to the British Government under secure channels, with a focus on technological advancements that could benefit the military and industrial sectors of the Empire.

This directive is issued under the highest level of secrecy and is not to be revealed or discussed outside of approved personnel. The utmost discretion is required in all actions.

By Order of the Prime Minister,
Winston Churchill
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Approved by Her Majesty’s Command,
Victoria
Queen of the United Kingdom