Northern Reaches
Coordinates: K-3
The largest military gathering had been brought to the capital since the coronation of Empress Karn was underway.
Every Moff, and most of the Admirals who were not in a point of interest near the front lines with the Alliance had gathered within the Capital city on Bastion, along with the entire Inquisitorious, and many agents of the ISB. All of them gathered to an end that nobody was quite sure of. However, the urgency of the notice that had went out to nearly half the galaxy meant something extremely important was about to take place.
Lord Regent Argus Kraiov stood tall behind a podium, ensuring he was prepared for the events about to transpire. As it was made clear for all voices to cease, the Lord Regent spoke.
"Ladies and gentleman, fellow imperials... Today marks a tremendous step forward in Imperial history."
The crowd listened intently, hanging on every word he said.
"For the first time in cycles, a plan will soon be enacted by high command to completely reunify the Empire's morals, ideology, and goals. To not only bring order to Imperial space, but to end the infighting that has plagued our military and government since the fall of the first Emperor! To bring safety and Security to the Galactic Empire once more! And to bring to an end five long years of chaos and aim our resources towards the true enemy! The confederate force that dares to bring anarchy to our civilized society! The Galactic Alliance!"
Cheering and applause became rampant in the crowd, the Lord Regent allowing it for a moment before raising a hand to silence the crowd again.
"However... I will not be presenting this plan."
A state of confusion briefly overtook the crowd. None knew what Kraiov had meant by this, who could be more entitled to giving such an important bill of information to such a large crowd. But as the curtain behind the Lord Regent split, and the visage of the Empress took nearly everyone in the huge crowd by surprise.
Alissa Karn, dressed now in a white dress with black sleeves and a black train leading behind her that led up her sides and into the sleeves, stepped forward to the podium. Her first public speech since her coronation nearly a cycle ago was about to happen, and it caught nearly the entire Empire off-guard.
"Ladies and gentleman," She spoke with poise, her voice penetrating and direct, almost as if any individual would think she spoke straight to them.
"Roughly fifty years ago, the First Galactic Empire was established, following an attempted coup by a corrupt Jedi order, and the subsequent execution of Clone Protocol 66. And for almost twenty years after the end of the clone wars, and the establishment of the Empire, the galaxy was safe."
A moderate applause came in reaction before Empress Karn continued.
"But this safety came at a drastic price. A price paid more by the citizens of the Empire than their governors. This fact, I believe, we have all acknowledged in our own way."
Murmurs began throughout the crowd, a polarizing reaction...
"But since the battle of Endor, when the second death star's destruction brought about the death of the first Emperor, our Empire has never recovered! For over 5 years, the Empire has been broken, and the Alliance has taken advantage of our infighting by expanding rapidly, until not even the former capital of Coruscant could be held from their invasion! That's why I have done all I can, in tandem with the Imperial Security Bureau, to ensure the future of the Empire."
immediately, the Moffs leaned in, concern across many faces.
"With the agents of the ISB committing to acts of ensured loyalty, they will be focused on the actions of our current governors, Moffs, and commanders of regiments acting on planet surfaces. In this way, they will ensure that through their communication, no individual who holds any sort of power in the Empire will put their personal feelings or desires ahead of the needs of the Empire itself!"
Near outrage brewed within the Moffs, along with the other groups of people mentioned in the Empress' announcement.
"However, this will not be simply a strict tear-down of authority. All government officials will be receiving possible added benefits, according to their quarterly ISB reports. These benefits will, of course, be taken from the Moffs and other officials who fail to meet the standard of the Empire."
The resentment quickly quieted down, many of them realizing the potential profit from such a statement.
"Moffs, governors... take a look around you right now. The men and women you stand beside are your rivals when it comes to performance assessments. If you take your position seriously, and ensure what's best not for yourself, but for your citizens and regiments, you will come out ahead, I assure you."
"Today marks a new day in the Empire. Today marks a reunification in the government! A new era of cooperation between the Military and the politicians! A true, Sovereign, and whole Empire! And a new opening of availability for all armed forces!"
Cheering came soon after that line. It was nowhere near the thundering ovation received by the Lord Regent, but for the Empress to get such an applause was an achievement.
