24 March 2024, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2321: The Powers of The First Citizen

This post was inspired by today's 5-minute freewrite writing prompt - 24 March 2024, @mariannewest's Freewrite Writing Prompt Day 2321: first citizen

Enjoy !

Image created by AI in NightCafe Studio

The flunky fussed around General Lucian, brushing non-existent lint off his uniform.

"It's nearly time to wave to your public, General. You've won the election with an overwhelming majority. Your victories in the war against Tyronia have made the public love you. You are first citizen of the Republic of Freeland !"

"Very well. Let's do this."

General Lucian, or as he now was, First Citizen Lucian, cut an impressive figure; immaculately dressed in his uniform, greying hair, chiselled jaw and firm expression. Looking every inch the military man who turned to politics to serve his people.

With his fluky shadowing him, he stepped onto the balcony. The crowd roared approval as he beamed and waved down to them. Well, most of the crowd. A small core of them, wearing black armbands to signify those who had lost relatives in the war stood, stony faced, staring up at him.

Turning to his flunky, First Citizen Lucian asked him in a carefully neutral tone. "So what are my powers as First Citizen, and what are the limits on those powers ?"

The flunky, keen to impress, responded, "You have absolute power, sir. You can do anything you want with the sole exception of cancelling the next election in five years' time."

"Good, good." General Lucian's expression hardened. "See those people over there not waving and smiling. Yes, those ones in the black armbands. Round them up and have them executed. All of them."