Emperor Michael VIII[]
| Michael VIII | |
|---|---|
| God-Emperor of Roman Empire, Supreme Autocrator and Imperator Augustus, Ruler and Basileios of Constantinople and Rome, Basileios Rhomaion, Protector of Saint Mother Orthodox Church, Theos-Krator, King and Archont of Bohemia, Pope of Rome, Autocrator-Liberator (since October 23, 2020)
| |
| |
| Emperor Michael VIII, 1986 | |
| 182nd Roman Emperor 3rd Emperor of Galactic Roman Imperium 1st Emperor of Empire-in-Exile | |
| Coronation | October 30, 1986 (first rule) October 25, 2020 (second reign) |
| Reign | October 30, 1986 - November 4, 2000 (14 years) (first rule) October 23, 2020 - January 10, 2021 (80 days) (second rule) |
| Predecessor | Justinian IV Constantine XV (disputed, in conflict) |
| Successor | Constantine XV Princess Honoria Constantina (designed, disputed) |
| Reign | October 23, 2020 - January 10, 2021 |
| Constantine XV | |
| Born | Michael Justinianus Flavius |
| Born | April 6, 1931 Constantinople, Roman Empire |
| Empress | Miranda Ilariona (1966-1993) |
| Wives | Octaviana Komnena (1951-1955) Olga Vasilevska (1959-1962) |
| Issue | 1st marriage: Alexander Julius Tiberius 3rd marriage: Constantina Constantine XV Augustus Pompeius Marcus Maximus Valerius |
| Era name and dates | |
| Reconstructionist Era 1930-1986 Current Era: 1986-present | |
| Regnal name | |
| Michael | |
| Posthumous name | |
| Imperator Michael Flavius Angelos-Premysloides Caesar Augustus | |
| Native Language | Czech |
| Other | Latin, Greek, Spanish, Russian, English, Tarrkisian, Golimian, Cassian, Salacian |
| House | Angelos-Premysloides |
| House | Angeloides (Roman Empire), Premyslid (Bohemia) |
| Father | Justinian Angelos-Premysloides |
| Mother | Alexandra Nikephora Palaiologina |
| Religion | Imperial Orthodox Cult |
| Occupation | Emperor, Ruler, Prefect of border mining colony |
Emperor Michael VIII (Michael Justinianus Flavius Angelos-Premysloides, maɪkəl Iustinianus ˈfleɪviɪs ˈænʤəˌloʊz Premysloides, April 6, 1931 - January 10, 2020) was among most controversial Emperors of Roman Empire and most controversial Emperor of Galactic Roman Imperium. He was also first Emperor, who abdicated and was forced to abdicate since Emperor Constantine XIII. His rule was marked by numerous political scandals, corruption, high economic growth, deep economic integration, infamous phenomenon of "economic imperialization", militarization, conservativism, disdain toward Galactic Imperial Assembly, Roman cultural revivalism and existence of "dual power" between Inner Council and Imperial Government, which almost caused civil war. Michael VIII reign was ended by "Imperial Abdication Concordate", compromise on Emperor abdication.
After abdication he became prefect of small, but promising mining colony in border systems, where he was responsible for mining of titanium and iron for military industry. Later, during economic and political crisis and anti-TDC protests, he was restored by rebels and proclaimed as Emperor of Galactic Roman Imperium, which, however ended unsuccessfull and he was killed during peace negotiations with legitimate Emperor Constantine XV.
Early life[]
Michael was born year after the end of the Imperial-Union Galactic War, just at the start of reconstructionist era. His mother was member of Palaiologos oligarchic family, Alexandra Nikephora Palaiologina.
In 1937, Michael enroll to elementary school at Mars. For short period, Emperor Constantine XIV considere replacement of heir Justinian with Michael, as Justinian was too old, but he decided it would be very ungrateful for Justinian loyalty and help during Imperial Tours. In 1946, Michael has started to study on Imperial School of Technical Sciences, which he graduated in 1950 and in 1951, he enrolled to the Imperial Academy of Political Sciences and Economic Management, where he received titles Bachelor of Sciences, Legum Magister (Master of Law) and Diplomatia Magister (Master of Diplomacy), in 1959 ended with title of Rerum Commercialium Doctor (Doctor of Economic Sciences).
In 1951, he married Octaviana Komnena. It was short-lived marriage, but they had trhee sons. Alexander (later Minister of Health Care), Julius (later representative of Trade and Development Council, until his assassination by Council) and Tiberius (military governor). During studies, Michael met his future wife, Olga Vasilevska. Second marriage was even shorter and ended after only three years and without children. Olga asked for divorce, when she claimed "her lifestyle is incompatible with his personality", but did not revealed any details.
Administrative career[]
After ending his studies, he was granted title of Caesar of the Galactic Roman Imperium and he was active in his father project of Trade and Development Council. He was also legal advisor in development of Lex Imperialica and representative of Empire in writing Commercial Code.
In 1964, Michael was appointed to Commission for Military Funds and Budget, which was tasked to reform imperial military to improve administrative efficiency of the Imperial Military, decrease costs and expenditures and improve internal organization and ranks. Here he met Miranda Ilariona, military commander and governor, who he married in 1966 and who remained with Michael until her death in 1993, when she was assassinated by Trade and Development Council (Julius and Miranda deaths are regard as reasons for escalation of "economic imperialization" policy in 1994-1998).
Michael was also very active in exoplanetary politics. He visited many worlds and despite his later conservativism and support for anthropocentric rule model, he had deep knowledges about non-Human cultures, societies and worlds and while he prevented rise of most species in the very early years of his reign, Salacians became his favourites for their high efficient administrative, long history of anti-Union sentiment, disciplined hierarchical social structures and meritocratic government system compatible with imperial society. Their position will again decay with Emperor Michael fall, but many Salacians will remain Michael loyalists.
In this time, Michael is critic of Imperial Government laissez-faire policy. Michael claimed: "This policy is very useful and I am supporter of laissez-faire, but it is useful and right policy in the time of long-term peace, not shortly after destructive pan-galactic war," instead, Michael was advocate of state interventions, state funding and investments and expanding Imperial Trading Corporation. He was frequently in conflict with various economic liberals and representatives of Popular Freedom Party.
In 1972, Michael participated on publishing "Treaty of Free Trade and Judicial Administrative".
After 1973, Michael warned about existence of Frontier Army as potential source of corruption in military environment. This proved few years later, when Frontier Army, despite protection and support from Justinian, became bastion of corruption, blackmailing, smuggling and de facto even piracy, while original task of Frontier Army was to fight against piracy.
In 1977, Michael was appointed to position director of Anti-Corruption Bureau and he led irreconcilable struggle against corruption in the Frontier Army. He proved connections between Frontier Army and Syndicate of Free Adventurers, but Imperial Government was deeply connected with Frontier Army command and Prime Minister Alexei Kosygin did everything he can to protect Frontier Army, which rapidly worsened corruption in frontier sectors.
In 1984, Michael attended ceremony of foundation Trade and Development Council.
In October 1986, Emperor Justinian IV died and Michael took throne.
Reign[]
Internal affairs[]
Disputes with Imperial Government[]
Emperor Michael VIII was strong ruler and frequently used his constitutional rights to bypass government decisions with various degree of successes. His arbitrary appointment of ministers after 1989 elections without consent of elected Prime Minister Anthony Blair (who on protest left Roman Imperial Party and joined Conservative Union), was among first controversies and disputes with Imperial Government.
Emperor did not accept 10 of 14 Blair ministers and replaced them with officers, merchants, bureaucrats and politicians proposed by his newly formed and obscure Inner Council.
Inner Council controversy[]
Inner Council was power, which caused existence od "dual-power" between 1988-1998. It was small advisory council composed by five most loyal and most capable Emperor advisors and personal friends.
- Arkanius was war veteran of Imperial-Union Galactic War and was among first Salacians, who joined Imperial Military in 1886. He later became corps commander and military governor. He was also military theorist.
- Nicolaos Chadenos was long-term government official, clerk and economic advisor with many experiences from private and public companies. He was also chief of Statistical Office and Imperial Council for Economic Innovations and Development.
- Lucius Varros was graduate of Imperial Diplomatic Academy and for 8 years member of diplomatic corps, who worked on improving interplanetary relations and in Inner Council, he was responsible for integration policy.
- Andrea Anastasievna was member of Imperial Security Service and chief of infamous Administrative Directorate. She was responsible for purges and had influence on Emperor Michael (to-some-extent justifiable) paranoia, especially after Julius death.
- Ashrai, who was born 402 AD, was scientific advisor, supporter of centralized scientific policy, member of Imperial Academy of Sciences board and specialist on nuclear engineering and nuclear weapons.
Andrea Anastasievna position was most controversial, because of her strong centralistic stances and her alleged relationship with Emperor Michael. On other hand, Arkanius position led to massive surge of Salacian support for Empire and mobilisation of various Salacian specialists, military officers, merchants and colonists to improving state of the Empire. During 1988 to 1998, more than 35 billion Salacians joined Imperial Military, administrative or colonial projects and Salacian corporations were among strongest supporters of "Economic imperialization".
Already in his Inner Council started his shift toward more Alien-inclusive politics, especially because of impression made by Arkanius and Ashrai.
Foreign and security policy[]
One of first act of Michael was dissolution of Frontier Army and arresting virtually whole officer corps of Frontier Army, most of them connected to black market and foreign powers (Syndicate and Remnants). On the advices of his close advisor, Salacian military commander Arkanius, Emperor delegate border protection to Territorial Corps, which is more tied and supervised by Imperial Military, than was semi-autonomous Frontier Army.
Michael stances toward Union Remnants were highly pragmatic and favoured by imperial diplomatic corps. He misused differences between various Remnants factions and made few border skirmishes with using imperial propaganda for support armament industry and military budget, but he never escalated relations in to the full scale war.
Campaigns against pirates[]
Since 1986, Emperor Michael initiated 3 large campaigns (1987-1991, 1993-1995 and 1996-1997) against pirate territories and at high cost, he was able to reduce pirate territores by fifth. He and his forces also caused many casualties for high-ranked pirate lord-commanders, also with full utilization of Imperial Security Service assassins.
Salacian minefields[]
One of persisting and to these days expanding security policy project of Emperor Michael VIII is system of galactic minefields produced by Salacian engineers and military industry. These minefields are formed in numerous layers. One layer protecting trade routes, second protecting colonies and Other Planets, third protecting border regions and replaced many duties of Frontier Army, fourth protecting Galactic Core, fifth protecting Core Planets and Solar System and sixth is reserves.
Test of basic Salacian space mine T-1.5 against Imperial cruiser, 1989.
During Emperor Michael VIII reign, Empire placed more than 4 billion mines and their production and deploying still continue. Currently is Galactic Roman Imperium protected by more than 16 billion mines. These mines are highly sophisticated combination of advanced targeting matrices and weapons developed by Salacians and Human technology of AI DNA protection used in Mecha Class IV to prevent hacking and creating each unit as unique, without central command core stationed on any planet to disrupt it.
While production and maintenance are expensive, efficiency and safety level of these space mines highly overcome famous SDS used during defense of Earth.
According Salacian military experts and Imperial Supreme Command, full protection of the Empire by Salacian mines will be completed in the years 2050-2075, or 2030, if Salacians and Empire will be successfull in expanding production according new plans. Annual production increase is stable, about 1.5% per year and Empire producing about 600 million space mines per year.
Economic policy[]
GDP growth under Emperor Michael VIII
Emperor Michael was critic of laissez-faire policy in post-war reconstruction. He pointed on successfull policy of administrator Keynes during his administration over Imperial Military Occupational Authority. Emperor claimed "We should not focus on economic growth, or on living standards growth. We should focus on both!" and supported state intervention policy as tool for both - large investments, public works, economic centralization and economic development with keeping free trade policy, free trade on Galactic Trade Routes and protection of property of corporations which defected in to the Empire and using both, state interventions and free trade to improve growth and living standards.
GDP per capita under Emperor Michael VIII
Imperial Development Index during Michael reign
Another part of Michael criticism of previous economic policy was large gaps between planets. Imperial Development Index of his father reign was driven by development of former IMOA territories and Core Planets. On Core Planets and former IMOA territories, IDI growth from 0.5 to 0.79, while in the Outer and Other Planets, IDI growth only from 0.39 to 0.419. Because of this, Michael economic policy soon found large support among civilian governors of fringe and border systems and administrators of Other Planets.
Michael policy, while formed harsh, strong and well-funded opposition from Trade and Development Council, corporate oligarchy and Core Planets, was celebrated on Outer and Other Planets. During his father reign, IDI increased from 0.39 to 0.517 in time span of 41 years. During Michael reign, IDI increased from 0.517 to 0.678 during only 14-15 years and mostly on Outer and Other Planets, which increased from 0.419 to 0.591.
Emperor elaborated and approved, by his authority, new tax code for small-to-medium companies on Core Planets and new corporate tax for corporations in Solar System. He used this taxes to finance infastructure, educational, health care and technological projects on more than 800 Outer and Other Planets. These funds reached at peak nearly $500 quintillion and altogether about $17 sextillion, or about 6% of 1986 GDP. Government planners, in close cooperations with local governors, local rulers, NIO (Non-Imperial Organizations), charity funds and volunteers, used this finances to overcome worst gaps.
Economic imperialization[]
As main tool of his direct economic interventions, Emperor Michael VIII used Imperial Trading Corporation, super-corporation of dominant (70%) public ownership with small (30%) private ownership. Imperial Trading Corporation is favour imperial corporation for many centuries, since era of Romanos V, when it was founded as Mercatorum Collegium Imperialis (Imperial Trading Company).
During Imperial-Union Galactic War, ITC was among most important armament and technological corporations providing military support for Imperial Aerospace Armada. After fall of Union, ITC thrived on Imperial Military Occupational Authority planets and other conquested territories. Despite that, there were still large gaps between well-established galactic supercorporations (especially Galactic Mining Union and Association of Industry) and ITC. Emperor decided to use state funds for expansion of ITC and ITC will implement Emperor economic policy, without interferences from Imperial Government and parliamentary institutions and under guidenance of Nicolaos Chadenos, Emperor personal economic advisor.
In 1987, Emperor initiated activities called "Economic imperialization", which were in complete opposite to imperial economic policy since 14th and 15th century, when was applied Ibn Khaldun economic theories, currently classified as "neo-liberal". Economic imperialization was long series of buying up shares in private corporations.
Small and medium companies were spared of this and most "imperialization" focused on corporations. Instead of forced expropriation, which would be flagrant and open violation of Emperor Constantine XIV treaties and agreements with defecting corporations, Emperor used this method. Empire and ITC bought up shares in private colonies, private corporations and in the private trade routes to create massive economic subject, expanding through whole Galactic Roman Imperium.
As chief of this activities was appointed Publius Crassus, loyal servant of Emperor and vice-chairman of Imperial Trading Corporation, who was able negotiator.
| Year | Economic imperialization event |
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| 1987 |
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| 1988 |
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| 1989 |
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| 1990 |
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| 1991 |
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| 1992 |
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| 1993 |
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| 1994 |
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| 1995 |
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| 1996 |
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| 1998 |
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| 1999 |
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| 2000 |
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This policy, while had very positive economic and living standards effects and was supported by smaller companies, Outer Planets and Other Planets, provoked Imperial Government and Trade and Development Council for response in form of "Imperial Abdication Concordate".
Some imperial-skeptics misused "Economic Imperialization" as propaganda tool and claimed that Imperium is worse than Galactic Union. Government and imperial-optimists pointed on Emperor abdication and fact that except controversial TechnoCorpGroup, all projects and transfers within "Economic Imperialization" were voluntary, without any pressure and fully legal.
| Year | GDP (in Sxt. US$ PPP) |
GDP per capita (in US$ PPP) |
GDP growth (real) |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | ▬297 | ▬41,538 | n/a | Michael enthronment |
| 1987 | ▲297,9 | ▲41,662 | ▲0.3% | Economic imperialization |
| 1988 | ▲300,27 | ▲41,995 | ▲0.8% | |
| 1989 | ▲303,87 | ▲42,499 | ▲1.2% | |
| 1990 | ▲309,34 | ▲43,264 | ▲1.8% | |
| 1991 | ▲318,04 | ▲44,346 | ▲2.5% | |
| 1992 | ▲325,99 | ▲45,455 | ▲2.5% | |
| 1993 | ▲337,47 | ▲47,046 | ▲3.5% | |
| 1994 | ▲348,87 | ▲48,645 | ▲3.4% | |
| 1995 | ▲359,68 | ▲50,153 | ▲3.1% | |
| 1996 | ▲371,55 | ▲51,808 | ▲3.3% | |
| 1997 | ▲401,09 | ▲54,088 | ▲4.4% | |
| 1998 | ▲420,34 | ▲56,684 | ▲4.8% | |
| 1999 | ▲439,26 | ▲59,235 | ▲4.5% | |
| 2000 | ▲453,44 | ▲62,916 | ▲3.1% | Emperor abdication |
| 1986-2000 | ▲155,44 | ▲21,378 | ▲39.2% | Total change |
Fall of the Emperor[]
Critical situation[]
Since 1998/1999, Trade and Development Council started secretly to arm and fund private militias loyal to them, for protection of their property and created special treaties preventing "Economic imperialization". They also contacted many members of Imperial Government and were able to reach support from newly appointed Anthony Blair cabinet of Conservatives and Citizens.
Instead of armed uprising, leaders of TDC decided for creating large opposition coalition against Emperor policy, and aside of Imperial Government, they also contacted military officers dissatisfied with high casualties of Emperor anti-piracy campaigns and Core Planets governors. They also gathered politicians supporting 1989 attempt of Electoral Reform and former Union loyalists, still living in the Galactic Roman Imperium.
They were not aware about power and capabilities of Imperial Security Service and fact about massive infiltration of their private militias and government, by ISS agents. Emperor Inner Council was divided in stances.
Nicolaos Chadenos and Arkanius supported continuation of Economic imperialization and were hardliners in the Inner Council. Andrea Anastasievna was in her stances also hardline and she was among those who led prosecution against TDC officials participating on Empress and Prince murders, but she accepted threat of civil war in the Galactic Roman Imperium. Foreign Policy Advisor Lucius Varros was moderate member, supported Emperor and even pledge him full support of Imperial Diplomatic Corps in case of unrests and conflicts, but he asked Emperor to negotiate and prevent escalation. Very similar stance had Ashrai, another moderate member of Inner Council.
Emperor Michael VIII, face-to-face with division in his own Inner Council, potential capabilities of opposition and crushing weakening of Roman Imperial Party in 1993 and 1997 elections, decided for negotiation with opposition and government representatives.
Negotiation started on May 2000 and ended in November.
Imperial Abdication Concordate[]
Imperial Abdication Concordate is treaty concluded between "imperialists" and "opposition" (where, however, was also Imperial Government).
Article I
- Emperor Michael VIII will abolish Inner Council. Members of Inner Council will be prosecuted.
- Emperor Michael VIII will abdicate in 72-hours in favour of his Caesar Constantine.
- Emperor Michael VIII will leave politics and will never ever participate on decision-making politics.
- Emperor Michael VIII will withdraw accusations against Trade and Development Council in case of Empress Miranda and Prince Julius deaths.
- Emperor Michael VIII will handover all property and company shares he personally own.
Article II
- Investment Imperial Fund will be abolished and all property and finances will be used for compensation of companies damaged by Economic Imperialization.
- TechnoCorpGroup will be restored, as Anti-Trust Law was misused against TCG. ITC will pay compensations.
- All legal codes allowing Economic imperialization, will be abolished.
- All arrested members and officials of Trade and Development Council will be released and compensed.
- All transactions and property and share transfers, made in the conflict with Trade and Development Council Commercial Code, will be cancelled.
Article III
- Emperor Michael VIII is protected against any form of prosecution.
- Emperor Michael VIII is allowed to work in the public or private sector, without limitations, except political sphere.
- All companies and shares bought by ITC according Commerce Code of TDC, will remain in validity.
- Imperial Corporation Association, formed in the agreement with Commercial Code, will remain active.
- Stock exchanges of imperialized corporations, formed in according Commercial Code, will remain active.
Emperor Michael VIII accepted Imperial Abdication Concordate and carry out all sections regarding his person. However, he never publicly supported enacting Article II. Enacting of Article II was highly controversial. While TechnoCorpGroup was restored without problems and legal codes of Economic Imperialization were largely revoked by parliamentary deputies and Imperial Government, problems occured with Investment Imperial Fund section and with case of arrested members and officials of Trade and Development Council.
Trade and Development Council was very unpopular, especially because Empress Miranda was popular and beloved by many people and she became victim of their activities. Many demanded trial with TDC, but representatives of TDC declined this, protected by Imperial Abdication Concordate. That concordate, however, did not prevent imperial citizens from destroying Trade and Development Council properties and attacking Council officials and representatives. From November 2000 to November 2001, about 900 Council officials, managers and representatives were killed or injured and rebelling citizens, loyal to former Emperor, destroyed property of nearly $70 quadrillion owned directly by TDC. Local governors, especially from Outer and Other Planets, prevented inspections and visitations of their planets by TDC. Salacians, who loved Emperor Michael, declared internal law decreeing all their citizens to kill any TDC representative visiting Salacians worlds and while this law was abolished as unconstitutional, Salacians de facto continued in carrying out this law. Probably most infamous was murder of TDC manager Juya-Zya in 2006 by Salacian extremist in the Constantinople. TDC withdrawn all their activities from Salacian worlds and to this days, they did not returned.
Also, abolition of Investment Imperial Fund was very soon reverted. While fund was de jure abolished to fulfil Concordate, all property and finances were transfered to newly created Planetary Development and Investment Fund, which prevented wide-spread rebellion on poorer planets.
Prosecution of Inner Council member was quite unsuccessfull. Ashrai went in to the self-exile, Andrea Anastasievna was protected by all-mighty Imperial Security Service, Arkanius remained in top military positions and Chadenos paid fine. Only Lucius Varros ended badly, when he commit suicide in 2002.
Members of Inner Council[]
Life after abdication[]
After abdication in November 2000, Michael personally participated on Constantine coronation and then moved to private sector.
He was employeed by Imperial Trading Corporation and since 2005, he is administrator of ITC private colony on moon Sephios of planet XKayn-2b, where he is responsible for development and expansion of colony. Under his administration, colonial mining production increased from 60,000 tonns to 17,000,000 tonns annually and population tripled.
Michael fully obliged his part of Concordate and never returned in to the politics and never commented his decisions. Only in personal discussions, he stated he welcomed revenge on Trade and Development Council by Salacians and in 2020, he secretly funded referendum campaign for Imperial Hyperpyron against Trade and Development Council monetary reform proposal.
Family[]
Michael was married for three times and had children of two marriages. Alexander, Julius and Tiberius were born in first marriage with Octaviana Komnena. Constantine, Constantine, Augustus, Pompeius, Marcus Maximus a Valerius were born in third marriage with Miranda Ilariona. All children had different careers.
Alexander was at first Crown Prince, but he suffered congenital immunity disorder and died at age of 6. Julius was second Crown Prince, but he was murdered by Trade and Development Council in 1993 with his stepmother Empress Miranda. Tiberius was never Caesar of the Galactic Roman Imperium, as he joined Imperial Military and was dedicated to career in the imperial military sciences. Currently, he is deputy chief of Imperial Research Institute of Armoured Warfare on Mars.
Constantina and Constantine are twins, but Constantina joined diplomatic corps career and renounced her heir title of Caesarina. Constantine was appointed as Caesar of Galactic Roman Imperium in 1993. Augustus left Imperial Court and currently live with his wife on Bernard Star b ruins, where they participate on collecting ores from planetary debris. Pompeius live in the Imperial Palace of Constantinople, Marcus Maximus is provincial deputy and military commissar of the 21st Armoured Division and Valerius is teacher of political sciences.
Second reign[]
In the late 2020, socio-economical and political situation in the Galactic Roman Imperium worsened and erupted in to the anti-TDC protests. Michael, despite earlier promises of leaving politics, returned and became popular figurehead of the anti-TDC protests with his grand-daughter Honoria Constantina. While active in anti-TDC protests, he was for short time reluctant to be restored as Roman Emperor, especially in the position of anti-Emperor, or "usurper".
Second Galactic Civil War/Fifth Imperial Civil War goes as war between various factions for some time, until threat of so-called New Dawn has rose and anti-Emperor Michael VIII was forced to peace negotiations with legitimate Emperor Constantine XV. Fifth Imperial Civil War ended by peace treaty and by slaughter caused by New Dawn terrorist attack against negotiators after which all pro-Michael rebels and insurgents returned in to the Galactic Roman Imperium.