Szedin Resov
Szedin Wassenaar Resov | |
|---|---|
 State Portrait | |
| Born | 10 July 1967 Tergtheim, Kanzlia |
| Allegiance |  Kanzlia |
| Service/ | Kanzlian Navy |
| Years of service | 1984-2015 |
| Rank | Admiraal |
| Commands held | Government Forces |
| Battles/wars | Kanzlian Civil War |
| Spouse(s) | Shikoya "Shiki" Resov
(m. 2001) |
Admiral Szedin Resov (10 July 1967 -) is a Kanzlian politician and military officer currently serving as the Prime Minister of the Gracious State of Kanzlia since 2015. Resov previously served as the Interim Prime Minister of the Transitional Council for the Reformation of Kanzlia (TCRK), Generalissimo of Kanzlia, and the Navy Minister.
Resov was born in Tergtheim to a wealthy family. He was educated in the prestigious Szbedansk Pre-College before joining the Kanzlian Navy. There he immediately attended the Kanzlian Naval Academy where he graduated just 8 months after enrolling. After graduating, Resov was assigned to multiple warships and later received a spot in Naval Administration. At the age of 32 Resov became the youngest Captain in the Navy.
After a brief stint as the Minister of the Navy, Resov would lead the Kanzlian Navy as it's Commander-in-Chief. Resov is one of the most vocal of his opposition against brewing Army tensions and was the first to gather substantial evidence of the Army's coup plans. Resov would play a major role in the Civil War, taking command of all Government forces in 2011 as Generalissimo of Kanzlia after President Hretsks' defeat at the Battle of Kotr Road. He signed the Army's capitulation and ended the war as the Interim Prime Minister. An effort to return Kanzlia to democracy was met with fierce political infighting and Resov was the first to propose the Restoration. After resigning, he would win the next general election in a land slide.
Early Life
Szedin Resov was born on July 10th, 1967 in Tergtheim to a modestly wealthy family. His father, Wout Resov (born 1932), was a respected young engineer who came from a long lineage of businessmen. The Resov family was one of the richest families in Tergtheim though being the 5th of Diant Resov's 8 children, he wasn't poised to inherit a lot after his father died in 1955. Instead, he founded the turbine manufacturing plant of Turbinia. Wout would sell Turbinia to Hollowpoint in 1970 for a deal of around 30 million Kanzlian Gelders which is around 150 million Kanzlian Gelders today. His mother, Serena Resov (born 1939), was born to a lower middle-income family in Ibsia. However, she managed to establish herself as an accomplished ship broker and was famously ruthless in the market. She retired from the job when Szedin Resov was born. Szedin Resov was born lucky enough after the Kanzlian Collapse.
Szedin Resov has two younger sisters, Maria Resov who was born in 1970, and Saartje Resov who was born in 1972. Due to the nature of his father's business, Szedin Resov would rarely meet his father during his early years. To this, a rocked marriage between his parents has forced them to live separately. Szedin Resov and his sisters would live with their mother Serena Resov in Szbedansk. Whilst the Resov family is wealthy and life is comfortable for them, Szedin Resov was raised by his mother in a modest lifestyle. Instead of living in a manor that she legally owns, she instead chose to live in a modest flat in the city's center and enrolled Szedin in a local public school. Szedin's mother made sure that he and his sisters would interact with ordinary people as she believed this would help them grow as modest people with good morals and standards. It is suggested that this stemmed from Serena Resov's resentment towards the upper class whilst she was working as a shipbroker and also her relationship with her husband, who she once commented was "morally blind".
Thus Szedin Resov grew with a sense of self-reliance and a distate for flaunting excessive wealth. His mother pushed him to join as many extracurricular work as possible and at one point played football, basketball, tennis, and rugby in the schools team. He even won the national under-14 marathon. Szedin Resov also excelled academically and he skipped Year 7 and jumped straight to Year 8. He entered Szbedansk Pre-College and established himself as a great communicator. He became the college's student council president for 2 years straight, a feat never done before in the school. He graduated second top of his class in 1984 aged 17.
One of Szedin Resov's biggest idols and role model was Admiral Amiens who was the Minister of the Navy from 1979 to 1985. Amiens was married to Serena Resovs older sister, Helena. Amiens would make the occasional visit to Serena Resovs residence and those visits was instrumental for Szedin Resov. Amiens would give Szedin Resov entertaining lectures on Kanzlian history, once tutoring him for his final history exam. Amiens would also share stories of his experience as a naval commander which captivated Szedin and helped him foster a growing sense of obsession with the navy. Another quality which made Szedin Resov admire Admiral Amiens was his televised appearances. During parliamentary debates Amiens possessed an unshakeable calm even during the most heated arguments. This quality often coupled with his brilliant and witty counterarguments earned Amiens a lot of respect and fear from other civilian ministers. Szedin spoke highly of him throughout his years calling him "the greatest minister the civilian government ever had".
Military Career
Szedin Resov joined the Kanzlian Navy on 8 August 1984, however due to the White Paper crisis where the KSDM-led government was embroiled in a major corruption scandal, he was only admitted on 1 December 1984. He joined the Naval Academy where due to the lack of leadership during the White Paper crisis saw an accelerated officer training program. Regulations and standards were laxed down in order to fill in the gaps left behind. Resov took exploit of the program immediately where most cadets joining took it as an easy guaranteed promotion, but Resov took it as a chance to stand out. He studied diligently and aced his classes. He possessed a natural curiosity and aptitude for naval strategy, tactics, and leadership. This allowed him to graduate even faster than other accelerated officers at just 8 months.
Following his graduation he was immediately assigned to the City-class frigate KNS Tergtheim where he served as the second in command of the ship. He served as a platform for the ship sailors of all ranks to voice their opinions and complaints to the ship's captain, earning him immense respect from the ship's crew. He would be promoted in 1986 to a Luitenant First Class. In 1987 he was assigned to the Resolute-class destroyer KNS Respite as the captain of the ship. Here thanks to his effort to connect and listen to every crewmember of the ship was able to notice the KNS Respite's chronic engine troubles. During an exercise in 1988 his ship was left behind others as he was advised by his engineers that the ship can not steam any faster or else the engine might combust. Whilst the engine problems of the Resolute-class destroyers is not unknown, the now Captain-Lieutenant Szedin Resov was the first to take action.
Recognising the need for the modernisation of the Resolute class, Szedin Resov became the first officer to raise the alarm about the Resolute class's shortcomings to the civilian government. This was a bold move for a young officer but Resov persisted. He made his case in parliament to a live broadcast and was able to persuade the civilian government to take his stance. He argued the potential risks to national security and the ineffectiveness of these vessels in the face of evolving maritime threats. His tone was of genuine concern and Kanzlian newspaper responded favourably to his speech. In 1990 the civilian government approved plans to refit the Resolute-class. In 1992 the Resolute class had to be decommissioned temporarily after KNS Resolute and Revive's engines combusted during an exercise. Therefore plans to refit the Resolute-class was scratched in favour of completely replacing the Resolute-class. However, when negotiations with the Szbedansk Shipyards Corporation to build a new class stalled, Resov negotiated the deal himself. Resov's exceptional communication skills proved instrumental in finalising the agreement and he eventually found himself in charge of the Illustrious Committee.
The Illustrious Committee was the assigned committee to design the successors to the Resolute-class. Resov initially drew criticisms as he lacked any formal engineering expertise but he was able to prove himself as the glue that held the various engineering, manufacturing, and research teams from various companies. He served as the bridge where each team was able to collaborate effectively and keep on track with the deadline. Simultaneously, Resov also led the Illustrious Committee to design the successor of the City-class frigates. This would eventually culminate with the Kraken-class frigates. This project remarkably achieved completion even before the successor of the Resolute-class was finalised.
In 1990 he was assigned to the coastal defence ship KNS Renown and still in charge of the Illustrious Committee. In the 1990s however, Szedin Resovs achievements didn't go unnoticed. In 1999 he was promoted to Captain being the youngest ever in Kanzlian history to do so at the age of 32. Subsequently he was also offered a position to become the Minister of the Navy under the leadership of Prime Minister Jacob Hretsk. This offer presented Szedin Resov his first political position. He accepted the offer and on 21 December 2000 he officially became the 49th Minister of the Navy.
One of Resov's primary focuses as Minister was overseeing the finalisation of the Illustrious-class destroyers, the project he had championed years earlier. His leadership and understanding of the design process ensured the timely completion of the destroyers. Resov's tenure was characterised by a strong working relationship with Prime Minister Jacob Hretsk. They shared a vision for a modernized and well-equipped Navy, and Resov's persuasive abilities allowed him to secure necessary funding and resources from the Prime Minister's office. This collaboration ensured a period of significant progress for the Navy.
Beyond internal Navy matters, Resov also played a crucial role in facilitating negotiations between the armed forces and Kanzlian corporations. His understanding of both military needs and corporate considerations allowed him to navigate complex discussions and secure mutually beneficial agreements. This skill in fostering collaboration between seemingly disparate entities would become a recurring theme throughout his career.
As the years pass by, Resov began to grow increasingly frustrated with the civilian government's interference in military affairs. Despite his best efforts to keep the Navy on track - bureacratic red tape, budgetary constraints, and the constant pursuit of personal interests among the political elite hampered his ability to make significant reforms. Whilst some cite Resov's frustrations as amateur-ish, it was true that the political climate in Kanzlia, especially in 2001, was heated. Constant bickering back and forth combined with the occassional brawl led to an ineffective parliament. Made worse by the collapse of the ruling coalition in June 2001.
By 2002, after just over a year as minister, Resov expressed his frustration with the parliament with a televised speech and wish to leave. In his speech he declared that he found it difficult to align his vision of an independent Navy with the politicans desire for short term gains and public appeasement. The last straw came when the Hollowpoint contract scandal was revealed. It was a deal Resov entrusted the civilian government to take care of - but instead it was revealed that the contract was littered with evidence of fraudulent terms and corruptive benefits. Feeling that the political environment was hindering rather than helping Kanzlia's defence, Resov submitted his resignation on January 25th 2002. He cited in his resignation letter the constant meddling, lack of transparency, and the self serving nature of Kanzlia's civilian government as his reason for resignation. He wrote, "I cannot, in good conscience, continue to serve in a role where the safety and future of our nation are treated as bargaining chips in petty political games." His resignation was met with surprise, especially considering that as a whole his short tenure was quite successful. He earned a lot of respect for his resignation, especially by Navy officers.
He returned back to Navy administration until in early 2003 when he was promoted to Admiral and given the position as Admiral of the Fleet (Commander in Chief) of the Navy. A role which he held until the outbreak of the civil war. During his tenure before the civil war, Resov was notable for bringing new leadership development within the Navy. Promoting intelligent and calculated officers in his staff. Within a few years his Navy transformed into one of the most respected institutions in Kanzlia known for its discipline and traditions.
Kanzlian Civil War
Szedin Resov's position as Commander in Chief of the Kanzlian Navy took a turn when political tensions began to rise within the country. In the early 2010s, the civilian government, led by President Jacob Hretsk and Prime Minister Tristan Mulders, was losing the support of with several factions of the military, particularly the Kanzlian Army. Discontent had been brewing for years, due to frustration with government corruption, perceived favoritism toward the Navy, and especially a big budget cut for the military. At the center of this rising tension was Brigadier General Marc Letos, an ambitious Army officer and Hretsk presidential rival for the 2011 General Election.
Thanks to the reforms that Resov had implemented in Naval Intelligence, the Navy had its own sophisticated network of information gathering and analysis, independent of the Army. Naval Intelligence had noticed discontent amongst Army officers. Intelligence reports indicated that many Army officers were increasingly sympathetic to Letos and his political ambitions, and radically disliked Hretsk. Several discussions of a powergrab was also taped but never confirmed. Resov warned Hretsk and Mulders of the growing resentment in the Army. Hretsk dismissed the warning.
Resov’s concerns was proven true when Naval Intelligence launched an investigation into Marc Letos' past. Naval Intelligence, with cooperation from Kanzlian Constabulary, was able to reopen a case on Marc Letos' wifes murder. The Kanzlian Supreme Court ruling found Marc Letos guilty and his escort consisted of Navy and Marine personnel. During the investigation Naval Intelligence also uncovered a secretive smear campaign led by General Wiel, the Commander in Chief of the Kanzlian Army, aimed at undermining Hretsk's presidency. Naval Intelligence was able to confirm that Wiel had secretly aligned himself with two extremist political factions—Steadfast and the Order of the Black Star—both of which sought to destabilize the government. Amidst the political scandal, Resov took immediate action doubling the size of the Marine garrison in major cities. He feared a military coup and he was able to convince Hretsk to dismiss his police bodyguards and replace them with Marines. Resov's fears was proven true when the Kanzlian Army attempted to launch a coup in Szbedansk on September 1st 2010. Marine soldiers already placed on high alert, was able to secure the civilian government and prevented the Army from taking the Parliamentary building. The thwarted coup attempt prevented the Army from securing legitimacy and ultimately forced them to start an armed rebellion. The victory at the Battle of Szbedansk is considered the start of the Kanzlian Civil War.
With the Civil War on its first legs, by late 2010 President Hretsk took personal command of the government’s military forces. His command proved disastrous as it was marked with the first defeat of Government forces at the battle of Kotr Road in early 2011. In the aftermath of the defeat, Hretsk was pressured to step down and he gave command of all government forces to Szedin Resov. Resov immediately reorganised the Government forces. Recognizing that the success of the war effort depended on operational efficiency, he delegated tactical command to his trusted Marine generals, Lydia Hale and Orfim Maruk. While Resov focused on high-level strategy, Hale and Maruk oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Marines and special forces on the ground. Their cooperation was crucial in slowing the Army’s advances and forcing the Army into a stalemate in Eastern Kanzlia.
The civil war dragged on for over 3 years, marked by constant skirmishes and small-scale engagements. Despite the Army's advantage in the forest terrain, the Navy and Air Force, still in control of major cities and ports effectively isolated the rebellion. Resov’s strategy of attrition, combined with the superior mobility of the Marines and Navy special forces, began to wear down the Army. By the end of 2013, the tide had turned decisively in favor of the government. The final major confrontation occurred on December 31, 2013, when the Army launched a desperate offensive against the port city of Montgomery. The attack, intended to seize a vital logistical hub, ended in defeat for the Army. The Marine defenders held off the city aided by bombardment from both the air above the city and the surrounding waters of the port, inflicted heavy casualties on the Army. The failure at Montgomery marked the end of any effective coordinated Army operations. With dwindling resources and morale, the Army’s position became increasingly untenable. By May 5, 2014, after further losses and a renewed bombing campaign by the Air Force, both sides agreed to a ceasefire. Resov, having orchestrated the government’s victory, was present at the negotiating table. On June 1, 2014, he signed the formal surrender of the Army on behalf of the government, bringing an end to the civil war.
Interim Prime Minister
With the Kanzlian Civil War drawing to a close and the surrender of the Army signed on June 1, 2014, Szedin Resov found himself in an unfamiliar position. While he had succeeded in preserving the country, Kanzlia’s political landscape was fractured, and the civilian government was in disarray. President Jacob Hretsk, whose leadership had been severely undermined by his failed military campaigns, stepped down at the end of his term on December 30, 2013. With no immediate successor and the nation still reeling from the aftermath of the war, a leadership vacuum loomed dangerously over Kanzlia.
In a move that sparked controversy, Resov exercised a rarely invoked constitutional power, dissolving the civilian government and assuming full control over the nation. He announced the formation of the Transitional Council for the Reformation of Kanzlia (TCRK), a temporary governing body tasked with overseeing the reconstruction of the country. This council was composed of military officers, business leaders, and trusted advisors, all of whom answered directly to Resov. While some lauded the decision as a necessary step to maintain stability, others saw it as an alarming consolidation of power by a military leader. Despite his authoritarian maneuver, Resov was quick to reassure the public that this was a temporary measure. He promised a return to democracy, announcing that national elections would be held in June 2014. The promise was well-received, and many hoped that Resov, the war hero, would be the one to guide Kanzlia back to normalcy. Economically, the country was stable, with much of its infrastructure intact thanks to the Navy’s control of key cities during the war. However, politically, the situation was much more volatile. Factions began to form, and the political scene was rife with uncertainty and infighting.
When June arrived, the TCRK was nowhere near ready to hold elections. The deep divisions between various political factions made organizing a legitimate and fair election difficult. The delay in elections exacerbated the political turmoil, and opposition groups began to openly criticize Resov's leadership, accusing him of stalling the return to democracy. Faced with mounting pressure and unrest, Resov sought the support of Restorationists.
The Szbedansk Royal Family, abdicated during the Kanzlian Collapse, had remained a popular symbol of national unity and tradition. Princess Zara, a descendant of the royal line, was immensely popular among all demographics in Kanzlia. Her charisma and connection to the people made her a unifying figure, and Resov saw an opportunity to stabilize the country by reinstating the monarchy. In July 2014, Princess Zara was crowned Queen Zara I, marking the royal family’s return to power after nearly a half a century of absence. The decision to restore the monarchy was strategic. Queen Zara I's popularity gave Resov the political leverage he needed to crush dissident factions who were agitating for power outside the established rules. With the Queen’s backing, Resov was able to curb political extremism and re-establish order. The alliance between Resov and the monarchy also brought economic advantages, as many wealthy and influential families who supported the royal family began investing in the country’s recovery. Within months, the political scene began to stabilize, and Resov was finally able to announce a new election date in May the next year.
By December 2014, with the country on a steadier path and the monarchy restored, Queen Zara I made a surprising recommendation—she suggested that Resov step down as interim Prime Minister. Though his leadership had been instrumental in Kanzlia’s recovery, Resov’s polarizing role in both the military and political arenas had made him a divisive figure. While respected and admired for his wartime heroism, his direct intervention in politics and governance left some factions wary of his long-term intentions. Queen Zara I, recognizing that a return to full civilian governance required a less contentious figure at the helm, believed she could lead the country through the next phase of its transition.
Reluctantly, Resov agreed to step aside. In December 2014, he officially resigned from his position as interim Prime Minister, handing over governance to Queen Zara I. His departure from office was met with mixed reactions—while many applauded his role in stabilizing the country, others were relieved to see him leave, hoping that his resignation would signal a clean break from military involvement in politics. However, in the months leading up to the 2015 election, a coalition of political parties, including the Restoration Movement (which supported the monarchy) and Absolute Truth (a centrist reformist party), urged Resov to run as their candidate for Prime Minister. Initially, Resov declined the offer. After years of military service and a brief but tumultuous period in politics, he sought to retire from public life. However, the pressure mounted, and many saw him as the only leader capable of uniting the country under the new monarchy.
By early 2015, after weeks of deliberation, Resov finally agreed to run for office. His campaign was met with overwhelming support from across the political spectrum. Resov's track record as a war hero, reformer, and now a key figure in the restoration of the monarchy made him an ideal candidate for Kanzlia’s new era. His message of unity, stability, and progress resonated with a war-weary public eager for lasting peace and order. In May 2015, Szedin Resov won the election in a landslide, securing nearly 70% of the vote.
Personal Life
Szedin Resov has two younger sisters, Maria and Saartje Resov. Both were captured by Army forces in the civil war and nearly threatened to be executed. However Szedin Resov was able to secure their release through diplomatic negotiations. He described the negotiations as, "the most stressful period of my life."
Szedin Resov met his future wife, Shikoya Meratov, during high school. Known publicly as Shiki Resov, she is a mysterious and private figure. Shiki perferred to avoid public attention, often shying away from the camera. However her modesty and beauty became subjects of admiration by the public on the rare occassions she did make a public appearance. Sometimes even overshadowing Szedin himself.
The couple married in 2001 in a relatively quiet ceremony. Their relationship remained largely out of the public eye. They have one son together, Brian, born in 2012.
Honours
As an officer in the Kanzlia Navy and as the Prime Minister of Kanzlia, Szedin Resov received multiple domestic and foreign honours and awards.
- Kotr Admiralty Cross
- Ibsia Admiralty Cross
- Szbedansk Admiralty Cross
- Marine Admiralty Cross
- Kanzlian Order of Merit
- Cross of Vyktoria
- Order of Szebdin I
- Royal Cross of the Crown
- Royal Star of the Restoration