House Davion - Amazon Web Services

Not surprisingly, Etien Davion was unpopular in political
circles. Sycophants might be happy to cater to his
every whim, but others in important positions feared where
Etien’s instability might lead the realm. At least three plots
were hatched against him during his eight years in office,
two assassination attempts, and a plan for widespread
secession from the Federated Suns. Neither bore fruit,
betrayed by men eager to advance their own fortunes by protecting
even a mad ruler against treachery.
In truth, Etien Davion was certifiably insane. Always inclined
to melancholy, he now suffered from depression more and more
frequently. The revelation of plots against him only deepened his
feelings of inadequacy and grief. With the second assassination
attempt in 2378, the President’s emotional state hit bottom. His
bodyguards killed the would-be assassin, a childhood friend and
former compatriot in the Lee campaign, just as the man was
about to plunge a knife in the President’s back. Etien stared down
at the assassin for several long minutes, then picked up his blade
and said, “if Jeremiah Monroe hates me that much, then no one
will hate me anymore.” He stabbed himself in the heart before
his guards could stop him, and died within seconds.
THE SCHOLAR
Perhaps you believe that a sick man cannot rule effectively?
My brother was never ill a day in his life, but did that make him an
effective ruler? Do not make the mistake of assuming that physical
strength is a prerequisite of mental ability, my friends. I assure
you that it is not.
—Paul Davion, from a speech before the High Council,
2378
Etien’s twin sons were only 16 when he died, while his sister
Marie was just 30. None were judged experienced enough to
take on the responsibilities of President or Prime Minister. Indeed,
the recent years under the madman had left many people
doubting whether it was wise to allow any Davion to continue in
CLOTHES MAKE THE MAN
When I met Paul Davion, he was dressed
like an 1820s romantic poet, in brown flannel
trousers, white ruffled shirt, brown topcoat, and
with a red ascot that set off his swirl of soon-to
be-receding brown hair. This was a far cry from
the standard blue, gray, or white suits and
brightly colored silk shirts that were in style
among businessmen in 2376. As I continued to
observe President Davion in the following years,
I was sometimes amazed to see him address
the Council wearing garments ranging from
bucklers with sashes to leather jerkins and
peach-colored weskits. (He once asked me in
private what I thought of a red tie that he wished
to wear to a diplomatic function. On my advice,
he decided against-possibly my best contribution
to haute couture in the Crucis March.)
I hate to adm it it, but there were times when
he showed a real fashion flair that might have
been impressive if more in step with the times.
—From Upstairs and Downstairs: My
Life as Paul Davion’s Valet, by Lorne
Raskiewski, Scandalmonger Press,
2408
power. The Davion name was still influential in some
circles, however, and a clique within the High Council
decided that only a Davion heir could keep factionalism
from destroying the Federated Suns. They needed someone
as a figurehead for their behind-the-scenes manipulation,
yet they also wanted a man who projected at least
the illusion of wisdom and experience. One member of
the Davion family suited those requirements perfectly. It was Paul
Davion, Etien’s 38-year old brother.
Paul had been a sickly child who still displayed symptoms
of hypochondria and intermittent paranoia. Unable to join the
military like most of his line, Paul had turned to studies in sociology,
history, and some technical sciences. Throughout Etien’s
reign, he had happily remained far from public scrutiny. After his
brother’s suicide, however, the mantle of power was thrust suddenly
on Paul’s unwilling shoulders. Despite his attempts to refuse
election to the Presidency, members of the High Council eventually
persuaded him that to shirk his duty would threaten the security
of the Federated Suns.
A NOBLE EFFORT
Eccentric in speech, dress, and behavior, Paul Davion was
not a figure to inspire confidence among his new subjects. What
he lacked in manners and breeding, he made up for with energy,
goodwill, and determination. The men who had sought a puppet
were startled to find that they had selected a leader with ideas of
his own and the commitment to seeing them realized. Paul might
have been a bit eccentric, but his peculiarities were minor and
did not interfere with his work. Indeed, under Paul Davion, the
Federated Suns quickly recovered from the Etien years. He promoted
economic reforms that bolstered the faltering economy,
helped to restore House Davion prestige, and waged a short but
successful campaign on the frontier to keep the Capellans from
growing too cocky.