Vers Le Ciel

A vers le ciel (translation: skywards), commonly abbreviated as VC, is an Aleurian military title that permits the holder to captain or command an Aleurian airship. The positioned is personally bestowed by the King of Aleuria. 
Vers le ciel are the only individuals, with the obvious exception of the king, permitted control of airships over Aleuria, regardless of whether they are civilian or military vessels. As a result, Alueria's airship industry is entirely controlled by the military. Special dispensation has been provided to airships run by Entreprise Les Freres Pontbeurrier for them to carry passengers on designated routes without the command or presence of a specific vers le ciel (legally, the captains of these ships temporarily possess a de jure vers le ciel title for the duration of the flight).
The title was created by Lumbard VII through the royal decree par ma grâce, sous mon ciel (translation: by My grace, under My sky). Under the decree, all airships flying over Aleuria must be commanded by a vers le ciel. The wording of the act also forbids any Aleurian to captain or otherwise command an airship without the express permission of the King, or through the granting of the title vers le ciel. Nor should an Aleurian 'collaborate' with an airship that does not possess an appropriate captain, as defined by the decree. As a result, it is technically against the law for any Aleurian anywhere in the world to captain, help facilitate, or travel on an airship without a vers le ciel. However, this is not generally enforced, nor is it typically practical to do so. 
== Military Hierarchy ==
The title solely provides the privilege of captaining or otherwise commanding an airship and has no bearing on other military hierarchy. A vers le ciel of any rank can command an airship, even should the most senior military officer aboard rank above them under normal circumstances (provided that officer is not also a vers le ciel). However, should two officers be vers le ciel, standard military hierarchy applies. Furthermore, the most senior officer can, even if not a vers le ciel, still issue orders to a vers le ciel - they simply cannot directly issue commands regarding the control of the airship (such as to the pilot or balloonist). 
Category:Aleurian Law
Category:Airships
Category:Aleurian Military