The Alpha Centauri Solar System has endured much hardship in its three centuries of monarchy rule, from its unsteady founding to more recent economic crises. While several outspoken radicals have called for an uprising and the dismantling of the monarchy, many are anticipating Princess Exxen Nomuunus VI’s upcoming rise to the throne. 

At only 23, Princess Exxen is superseding her mother as Queen, taking her place as regent of the five planets that constitute the Alpha Centauri System. Plenty of citizens have shown their support for the Princess at her public appearances on each of the System’s planets, but not everyone is pleased with the idea of such a strong character at the head of the System. The young leader has faced plenty of scandals, the most recent of which placed her out of public favor: within the same day of an assassination attempt on the Queen, the Princess was spotted at a party on the System’s outermost planet. 

“[The Princess] needs to pull herself together,” a civilian said on the matter. “After that last attack on the monarchy, it’s only a matter of time before the whole System collapses.”

Alpha Centauri System’s Earth contact, Cassian Smidth, was able to arrange a meeting between himself and Princess Exxen to discuss the concerns of the public. When the two spoke, the Princess was eager to tell Smidth about her coronation, though she spent more time describing the “sick DJ” and “killer outfit” she agonized over in preparation for the party preceding the ceremony. 

“Planning just isn’t my thing. My mother and her council worked out most of the official kinks,” the Princess said.

She proceeded to describe the menu items and exotic decorations she hand-selected for the extremely exclusive afterparty that the Princess herself will host following her rise to the throne. According to the young regent, the invite-only celebration is a way for her to let loose before taking the crown. 

“I really just want one last hurrah before I have to take this whole royalty thing more seriously,” she relayed. 

This particular sentiment of Princess Exxen’s is one that appears to concern several citizens of the System, many of whom view the Princess as unserious and unfit after her attempt at a music career failed to close the gap between Alpha Centauri’s asteroid miners and their industry.

After another year of unprofitable harvests, asteroid workers are receiving less pay and even fewer workable jobs. These conditions promptly incited a strike, during which workers demanded a mandate of stable wages and fewer hours during comet season. 

The targeted harvesting companies refused to deliberate without royal subsidization of the industry. While neither the Queen nor the Princess came into official contact with the strikers or any industry heads, the Princess released an EP with themes about overcoming hardship, together. The most streamed song from the EP, “Unity, not Unions,” called for “togetherness foreverness.” 

Many listeners speculate that the songs were released to relieve tensions and potentially end the strike. While the strikers did begin negotiations only a week after the EP’s release, experts do not believe that the EP had a significant impact on that decision.

The failing asteroid business is just one of the several economic shortcomings facing Alpha Centauri. Two of the System’s planets each had their coldest winters on record, resulting in a heavy reliance on out-of-system produce. 

Princess Exxen had no comment on the matter, saying: “I’m not a farmer.” 

The Princess told Smidth that while she “can’t make the planets any warmer,” she does intend to royally fund programs that provide support to struggling farmers. The Princess can offer temporary aid from the Royal Treasury to the planets that need agricultural support, but the monarchy still needs to take action regarding the interplanetary conflict induced by the famine. 

“I just hate it when my planets don’t get along!” The Princess said regarding interplanetary conflicts. “It’s totally uncool, especially with my coronation coming up.” 

The Princess gave words of support for the current policy to maintain order by use of royal force. The Queen’s controversial policy of monitoring and suppressing planet-on-planet violence by stationing Royal Police throughout interplanetary space has garnered much attention, attracting both loud supporters and adversaries. 

The Princess seemed unconcerned with the political turmoil, according to Smidth. “My mother ruled for 37 years, and the System is still standing. A little bit of disagreement isn’t going to end us,” she said. 

Though Princess Exxen is optimistic about her reign, it is impossible to ignore the many anti-monarchy groups that have cropped up in the past few decades. A majority of the groups are small, policy-opposing clusters, but one collective is steadfast in its overwhelming political presence. 

The Aliens Against Ruling Monarchy, AARM, have materialized at every single monarchy-sponsored event and appearance. The group has several small factions spanning all five planets of the System and operates from a central, organizing authority.

Several AARM members have attempted to confront the royal family at different rallies regarding their proposed system of government: the choice to elect members of the Royal Council from each of the five planets. 

Princess Exxen was happy to comment on the organization, letting Smidth know that “…those guys are hardly anybody’s concern. Giving some randoms the power that is reserved for my council would be chaos. Not everyone is born a princess, and if you weren’t, then there’s no point in trying to be one.” 

Now is a turbulent time in Alpha Centauri history. Economic and interplanetary turmoil threatens the System, and more and more citizens are demanding help from the monarchy. The Queen is stepping down, and a new regent is ready to rule. Future Queen Exxen Nomuunus VI has been many things: a partygoer, a popstar, and a princess. But is she ready to command and unify the System? 

“I know the System is in a bit of a tough spot right now, but I can definitely put an end to all of this ‘end the monarchy’ nonsense. It’s all worked out so far, so obviously I’m doing something right. If anyone could be ready to rule, it would be me. I mean, come on, I was born a princess!”