New Commonwealth

It was the end of the world and once more Britain stood alone. 

After withdrawing completely from the squabbling and factionising in Europe, representatives of the Government of His Brittanic Majesty, King Charles IV, met with their Monarch and cast a world weary eye over the rapidly deteriorating global situation.

Realising that the British Isles could not hope to sustain Herself or Her Subjects without overseas trade the Prime Minister ran through their possible allies – An increasingly isolationist America was busy devouring itself in a war of secession so the ‘Special Relationship’ was no longer of any use and Europe was split between Governments and Corporations jockeying for position. Russia and her allies were working together better than Old School Communism ever could, although the borders were just as impregnable! And the Asians were being … well, Asian.

Prime Minister Basra sighed and set down his tea cup “Any suggestions anyone?” he asked. His gaze drifted around the room noting how no-one would meet his eyes. The King himself sat off to one side watching raindrops slide down the window, at least they shouldn’t run out of drinking water Basra thought to himself.

A movement caught his eye from the corner of the room where the Foreign Minister was shushing one of her Aides.

“Yes Minister ?” Basra asked more out of annoyance than hope “Does young Mr Timothy have something for us? I promise you there is no such thing as a stupid thought at this time.”

The Foreign Minister sighed and waved her Aide forward.  The young man stepped forward, clearing his throat nervously as he did so “Er … Sir and, and Your Majesty” nodding politely but hesitantly towards his King “I work on the Foreign desk and I was just telling the Minister that we’ve received a request from Guyana for assistance. They are hoping that we will .. ahh .. once again take up the administrative reins of Government and offer them the protection that our Governance will bring.” Timothy looked up and quickly licking hip dry lips hurried on “Guyana has received several threats and even some physical incursions across her borders. As you know Guyana has quite considerable mineral deposits but has always lacked the infrastructure or resources to effectively utilise them. Clearly the current situation has made those deposits extremely tempting and, amongst others, Argentina has been showing some immoderate interest. Much like the interest she is again showing in the oil deposits around the Falkland Islands. Guyana is not the first such request we have received by a long stretch and given that Guyana is a former colony that is dangerously isolated on the South American continent but may have resources we..”

“Mr Timothy!” The Foreign Ministers voice cracked out “As much as we feel for our former dependents we simply do not have the available assets to throw away on this kind of peacekeeping action. Now, if you have nothing else please sit down so we can carry on with this meeting”.

Basra rubbed his hand tiredly over his forehead and began to open his mouth to speak and calm the situation down when a quiet yet authoritative voice spoke from behind him.

“Gentlemen, Ladies and Honourable Ministers … I believe Mr Timothy is correct and his bigger idea holds considerable merit if you would allow him to expand on it. Oh! The rain has stopped.” said the King.

“Your Majesty” began Basra “Perhaps we can free up a few troops to go to Guyana and train their local troops but …. “ his voice faltered as he saw the smile spread across his Monarchs face.

“Prime Minister Basra you are a dedicated and passionate servant to the future of this country but perhaps we need to look backwards sometimes too.” King Charles stood up and walked towards the centre of the room before continuing “What I believe Mr Timothy was starting to allude to was that we already have a group of Nations with whom we have a history of good fellowship and understanding. They may not be the ones we have always looked to in recent years, not necessarily the most powerful or politically significant. Some of them may even have caused us an odd problem or two over the years. Nonetheless “ The King moved to the main window where the sun was just coming out.

King Charles IV poured himself a cup of tea from the pot on the table and picked it up with the saucer in one hand.  Turning back towards his assembled Government the King raised the cup in his other hand in salute as the full glory of the Sun blazed behind him.

"Ladies and Gentlemen … I give you the New Commonwealth”

 So it was that in the declining years of the Planet Earth that what was once called the British Empire and then became the Commonwealth of Nations shed its light and warmth once more upon its members, members that quickly became partners and equals in a great undertaking.

And when His Brittanic Majesty King Charles IV bestowed his blessing upon the great Space Ships that were the result of the collaborative efforts of the New Commonwealth and he was asked what their ultimate purpose was given the comparatively few people they would hold, his reply became legend.

"Make the Galaxy Britain … Isn’t that the plan ?”