Ascendancy Nuclear Initiative

The Ascendancy Nuclear Initiative (ANI) is a policy, and department of Essotori, and the Ascendancy at large, to realise energy independence, with the goal of complete autarky. Once this goal has been accomplished, in the minds of the government, neither Essotori nor the Ascendancy shall ever need to import from the outside. The closed loop economy would prevent Entaria from infiltrating and subverting the souls of each subject, while allowing the Cult to spread unabaited. The Initiative started as a small part of the Ascended Leap Program (ALP), and had responsibilities involving the construction of nuclear weaponry, counters to nuclear strikes, and the use of nuclear power as the default energy source throughout Essotori.

## Purpose

The ultimate goal of ANI is to create energy independence in the Ascendancy, with the ability for each section to continue the message of the Cult independently, should any other part of the superstructure fail. If energy independence can be achieved, the Cult shall no longer need to import energy, and can save huge amounts of money. The more medium term goal of ANI is to create clean energy around the Ascendancy, in accordance with the Ascendancy Directive, that those living within the Nozerod's care should live better than any outside.

## History

### Foundation

In the aftermath of the Lorraine War, Essotori and it's newly formed Ascendancy desired new ways to catch up with the established nations of the world. Nuclear power, suggested by many scientists, was approved at the Radonstinatle Conference of 1945. The Conference agreed on the principle of the Ascendancy as a divinely ordained collection of nations following the tennants of the Tribella, that the Cult would be endangered by exposure to the corruptive elements of the outside world, and thus such elements must be independently, yet tightly controlled. In recognition of this, the Conference authorised the Ascended Leap Program, granting the authority to develop autonomously develop industry and living standards to all members of the bloc. The Ascendancy Nuclear Initiative was among the first of it's kind, sponsored by all parties of the Conference, it began expanding the nuclear research and production facilities throughout Essotori. The largest of these facilities was the Conighen Facility for Advanced Development was the first to present plans for a nuclear reactor, and building began in 1949, though it was finished in 1955.

### Promulgation

"The Ascended One has bestowed upon the Ascendancy a most worthy blessing, the atomic age has truly begun. The Ascendancy requires dedicated, educated and competent individuals to undergo training to utilise these miracle machines. Fear not, for each Crownslave is protected, the gaze of the Ascended One rains from the skies, each let almighty faith course through each man's veins."

Upon the opening of the Conighen Nuclear plant plan in 1955, the government issued an ordinance to not fear, and that all qualified individuals should report for training. The Conighen facility continues to produce power to this very day, and the surrounding town has been refurbished as a Miracle Village, (Nuclear town). The success, yet relatively high costs of building and maintainance led the post war governments to open the floor to development from the scientific community of Essotori, of whom, the Nashley family were prominent. They used their established positions in Suntterland to put their designs for an innovative, cheap design into operation, the Zilcon class, named for the Duke of Suntterland. Construction began in 1951, though most were completed by 1963, and positioned around Suntterland.

### Disaster

The Calbury Disaster occured on the second of Octomber, 1964, and forever shocked nuclear power throughout the Ascendancy. It forced the scrapping of the Zilcon Class, and caused an anti nuclear movement throughout both countries.