The Ceremony had just begun, with the Imperial Military lined up in lock step in the courtyard of Caprica City's government plaza, a large courtyard centered at the doorsteps of the Parliament building, the Quorum, and the towering Imperial Palace.
Aschen banners from across the Empire fluttered in the wind as people gathered to watch the proceedings. Crowds filled the streets, which had been closed for the ceremony. News crews watched with cameras pointed to the large stage where the Shadow sat, Chairman McGregor, or as Austin would know as Count Iblis was also present and accounted for, along with Admiral Inviere, and the entire Aschen admiralty save for Nagala.
A loudspeaker began to blare, echoing through the buildings. "In respect of the Sovereignty of every member state, we ask that you all rise for the playing of the
Caprican National Anthem, Followed by the proclamation of the United Aschen Empire!"
After a few moments, the Caprican Anthem began to play. Then after the Anthem, there was silence, as a man with a booming voice called out on the microphone.
"Only a thin Ion barrier separates us from the Chaos of the Dark Zone, the Dark zone is not separate, like two different planets, the Dark Zone coexists in the same space as our Empire, in the same place, at the same time... The Dark Zone has no rules, no sense, no order... We Worship his Shadow, Long may He Reign, and Protect us from the evil that lies within the Dark Zone."