Imperial de-facto Capital De-Purteen, Ord Cantrell, Imperial Remnant.
Feena D'Asta was taken aback by the appearance of the ambassador, but didn't let it show, bowing to the ambassador instead. “Ambassador, I would love to talk with you, but as I have an important meeting to attend, I would ask you to please enjoy our hospitality. I shall be back as soon as possible, but it might be a few hours. If you want to, you can start discussing details with my adjutant, Commander Presbin.”
Imperial Council Session
This was the most important meeting of the regular business year – the time when the Imperial budget was to be decided. What was scheduled to be decided upon in one meeting was actually the result of a month-long process that had largely been completed by thousands of Imperial staffers, but as usual they had ran into roadblocks that only the Imperial council itself could resolve. As usual, the ideologists on both sides had refused to part with their pet projects – the conservatives wanted a massive expansion of the military, the idealists wanted a massive effort in reconstruction, the pragmatists wanted both – and in the end the staffers had proposed a budget that would have spent four times as much money as there was to allocate.
The council had already deliberated about this three months ago, but had not come to any agreement as no plan had been finalized enough.
Hopefully, this time Praji won't let anything slip that would cause Admiral Thanas to challenge him to a duel like last time – D'Asta thought.
Although calling Gaeriel Captison a tree-hugging, traitor-loving slattern had been the highlight of the previous meeting. Thankfully, as Commander of the Imperial forces he had been able to order the two of them to desist from something that would cause the empire to loose two fine officer. In any case, while their greetings had been frosty, the two factions didn't seem to be willing to draw blood this time. Thanas was not present, as he was currently busy organizing convoys at Axum.
The real wildcards were the two persons situated at the end of the table – Mahd Windcaller and Kandon Secura. Windcaller being as always interested in the most profit for herself – while Secura was probably still angry about the tongue lashing he had received from D'Asta earlier for threatening another state with war. Secura had been acidly reminded that Ryloth was a drain on the empire's resources already, but if he wanted to go ahead and take on the Mid-Rim alliance, he would be welcome to do so with the few sticks that were left to him after the empire had packed up and left.
That dammed young fool. Once more, a good guerilla fighter did not necessarily a good politician make, as the Rebel Alliance itself had proved.
With a swift move, D'Asta rose. “Gentlebeings, I call the 451st council session to order. Let us start with our roll calls. Voting members, please enter your official code at this time.”
10 votes. Four conservative, two idealist, Saenger will vote with me and two unknowns. Well, there are worse odds.
“I'd also like to welcome the non-voting members at this time. We have all been briefed on the diplomatic proceedings and I think I speak for us all when I say the diplomatic response to our offers has been overwhelmingly positive. My daughter's office is still busy replacing all the diplomatic charts with the updated information. I am especially pleased that a number of states has agreed to enter a defensive alliance with us. Now, let us consider the budget. Moff Saenger, please report the status of our economy.”
Moff Jurang Saenger rose. “Your excellency, gentle-beings. The influx of new trade has had an invigorating effect on our economy. In many cases, our industry is expanding and rebuilding at a great rate. Workers on my planet of Axum are now running triple shifts back-to-back in order to keep up with demand, the situation on other planets is comparable. As such, we have a great deal of funds to spend. The complete number is....”
After Saenger had finished, Regent D'Asta once more spoke. “Gentlebeings, I suggest we first vote on the expenditures that have to be met anyway. First, the budget for the Imperial forces has to be approved. Is anyone opposed to funding the continued operation of our armed forces, the continued reconstruction efforts on Coruscant and Anaxes, as well as the maintenance of our space stations?”
Nobody raised their hand. “Ecellent. I should also mention that resources have already been allocated for the construction of a Planetary shield network on Ryloth. As Vice-Admiral Thanas has informed me, the parts have already been manufactured by Axum industries and the convoy carrying them is currently being assembled at the Axum system. As we already approved this last year, we do not need to vote on it. We also approved Mahd Windcaller's special project on which she will give us a report at the end of this briefing.”
Now, let the haggling begin. “Now that the fixed costs are out of the way, please put forward your proposals. Yes, Lord Praji?”
“My fellow colleagues, Marshal Jir and I have spent a great deal of thinking about the strategic situation of our empire. And our conclusion is that we have a lot to be fearful of. The Sith are stronger than ever and right on our doorstep. Rebel factions are blooming everywhere in the galaxy. Therefore, we have come up with a plan that takes our needs into account. First, we present you with a build-plan for our shipyards that would increase the numbers of our ships by 72 over the next two years. Second, in that time, we will have increased the size of our army to 48 divisions. Third, our shipyards would have been joined by 12 new shipyards. You can find the details in your datapads.”
“Thank you, Lord Praji, and you, Marshal Jir, for your hard work. Now, I believe there is a counterproposal by Prime Minister Captison?”
“Indeed there is, Regent. My fellow colleagues, where Lord Praji sees danger, I see opportunity. Where he wants to make us fear our neighbours, we feel that different ideologies do not need to lead to war. My planet has succesfully integrated both Rebel and Imperials, indeed, one might say we married each other.” This quip was met with a cold stare by Praji and chuckles from the rest of the group. Gaeriel paused a moment before continuing. “More importantly, we feel that reconstruction has to have priority. We have currently signed many trade pacts and our industries are running at full capacity. But this does not help the needy and deserving people of Coruscant and Anaxes. We believe every effort shall be made to help ease their suffering. I shall not bore you with details, you shall find them in your datapad for your review.”
“Thank you. Moff Saenger?”
“My colleagues, I shall not bore you with speeches. We believe both aims are worthwhile and our budget should reflect this. What better way to reaffirm our commitment to all of our ideals than by passing a budget that shows why we chose to build this nation?”
D'Asta nodded. “Thank you. We shall take a short recess and then reconvene. All in favor?”
As the councilmembers filed out, D'Asta asked Gaeriel Captison to meet him in private.
Luxury resort, suite of Baron D'Asta
“Prime Minister, thank you for coming. Please have a seat, would you like something to drink?”
Gaeriel remained standing. “No, thank you. I think I know what this is about.”
“Prime-Minister-” “You are not going to let my proposal pass.”
D'Asta nodded. “No.”
“You want Saenger's proposal, which is only two steps removed from Praji's.”
“Yes.”
“This proposal may or may not pass.”
“Yes.”
“And you want me to withdraw mine to make it certain that his will pass.” A tinge of bitterness was now audible in her voice. “I will not do so. We could fully commit to rebuilding the two worlds.”
“Gaeriel, I want you to know that I do care about Coruscant. But people are not starving there anymore and - “
“No, instead they are now herded into emergency slums, parden me, emergency
shelters. While Praji makes a nice living selling rations to them. What a lovely vision, one fit for .... are you alright?”
D'Asta's face had gotten more and more ashen while Gaeriel ranted. His glass of water fell to the floor and he would have fallen had Gaeriel not rushed forward and steadied him. Before she could call for a doctor, the Regent whispered: “No alarm. Syringe, behind the vase.” Gaeriel looked towards where his eyes were looking and after sitting him down on the couch, she quickly discovered a hidden cabinet with several syringes in it. After she had handed it to the regent, she looked in shock when he rolled up his arm and injected the whole dosage into a disguised shunt. After a few minutes, D'Asta put the syringe down and straightened his clothes. “Now you know my secret.” “So the rumours were true.” “Yes.” Gaeriel looked stricken, but then panic replaced sorrow. “How long - “ “Eight years, at best. The The doctors say I should never have subjected myself to this stress.” “But you did it anyway.” “Yes. For the good of those placed under my charge.”
Gaeriel nodded. “Feena.” “I would destroy this whole empire if it meant her being safe. When I am dead, the sharks will come circling. Praji is right, there is danger. We need to be prepared.” He held up a hand to forestall any protest. “But you are right too. We need to make sure our empire is healthy, not bogged down by reconstruction. And I
do care, believe me. But I also believe the first year is crucial. Therefore, we have to prepare ourselves for a possible war – some firebrand is going to start one sooner or later. And when I am gone, someone has to make sure that Praji and you are not going to rip this empire apart.”
He reached for her hand and squeezed it. “Support me on this, Gaeriel, and I shall support full planetary reconstruction next year. I give you my word.”
Three hours later
“Gentlebeings, we have a budget. I think this deserves a full round of applause.”
In the end, with the withdrawal of the Bakuran budget proposal, passage of the Saenger plan was assured. As soon as Captison had withdrawn her proposal and endorsed the moderate one, Praji had followed suit, knowing that fighting against the combined forces of idealists and pragmatists would be useless. Still, he had gotten his wish – under the moderate proposal, imperial shipyards would be working day and night to keep up with the new orders.
With the budget being passed, the council turned to the regular business of the day.
“I believe Mahd Windcaller has a few things to say. Mylady?”
“Thank you, Regent.” Rising with the ease of one trained in the art of Echani, Windcaller pressed a button on her council seat, causing the holoprojector to rise to life. “Gentlebeings, one of our goals at reconstruction was the reestablishment of the galactic holonet. Today, Windcaller media company is proud to present our results. As you all know, the holonet emitters are still working in hyperspace, but the transmission stations were almost all destroyed. This has been rectified. One transmission stations has been placed at Coruscant, linking our Core worlds, whereas another has been erected at Ord Cantrell, not far from this place. With your permission, I would like to send the activation code.”
Ord Cantrell, Shaak mountain range.
The technicians received the activation signal. Within seconds, the major communications array started transmitting.
Ord Cantrell, council room
One by one, the planets appeared as holograms before the council as their planetary commands signed in. “Coruscant central reporting as ordered.” “Nez Peron receiving loud and clear.”
“Axum and Anaxes, awaiting your orders.” “Kaikielius, Ruan and Foerost central command here. Your orders, Sir?”
D'Asta rose, his eyes dancing with joy. “Thank you. That will be enough.” One by one, the planets disappeared as fast as they had appeared. “My colleagues, a round of applause for Mahd Windcaller.” After the polite execution of that request had died down, Windcaller continued. “At the moment, we are limiting the holonet to military and diplomatic channels, but I am confident that we will be able to gradually open it to the public and media, with full access being granted next year.”
And earning a nice little profit from the sale of licenses, I bet Feena D'Asta thought. Everybody else probably thought the same, but kept it to themselves. Instead, Gaeriel Captison rose. “Fellow colleagues, I hereby vote we fund an immediate expansion of the Holonet to Bakuran and Rylothian space as well as an offer to friendly nations to extend holonet access to them.”
Windcaller was ready for this. “An expansion into Bakuran and Rylothian space is planned, but as there had been few holonet emitters in the rim, this might take some time. In any case, we should start this in the next year – in the meantime my ships will search for the best ways to channel the holonet and search for already existing emitters. I am afraid we will have to live with the current 2-5 hour lag for a little while longer.”
After a few more minutes of discussion of technical details, the council turned to the diplomatic front and it was up to Feena D'Asta to speak.
“With our friends wanting to sign the alliance treaty with all its provisions on Coruscant, I think it is up to us to play host, so to speak. Therefore, I move we sent official invitations as soon as possible.” “Seconded, with one caveat – where do we sign it? A piece of rubble is not exactly confidence-inspiring. I can have one of my skyhooks relocated from Kaikielius to provide a more suitable arrangement”, Lord Praji said. “I disagree,” Gaeriel rose. “It is exactly the right message to send to the galaxy and the people of Coruscant – that we will not let this happen again and that we have not abandoned them – reinforcement that is desperately needed.”
“Why not do both?” Mirith Sinn, who had been quiet otherwise, chose this to speak. “Commemorate the dead by signing the treaty on Coruscant while also holding a service for the dead, then relocate to the Skyhook for speeches and declarations. Followed by drinking and dancing.”
After a short debate, this proposal was approved unanimously and Feena D'Asta proceeded to speak once more.
“Another issue are our relationships with the Concordat Alliance. Prime Minister Captison has already briefed us on this new nation and recommended that we deepen our relations with them. I have reviewed the material gained and I would concur. Their philosophy of state seems to correspond well to ours, as they too are a blend of former Imperial and Rebel officers. I therefore suggest we form a defensive alliance with them and have already approached this topic with our Core allies. They have no objections to us pursuing such a course of action, although this would of course not bind them. My suggestion would be to invite them to the signing ceremony as well and approach them there.”
After this plan was approved, the council then turned to the matter of the Sith. It was decided to approach the Shakari and if possible, construct a robotic listening station at the edge of their system. The council agreed that finding out the intentions of the Sith was their number one priority.
After this, the council dissolved and Feena went back to the meeting with the Etti ambassador.
To her surprise, he hadn't moved an inch.
“My apologies for the delay, ambassador. Shall we continue?”
*************
Results:
- Imperial Budget is passed. Details to be revealed later in news media.
- The Empire will approach the Shakari and try to figure out what the Sith would want from them
- Feena is back to dealing with the Etti ambassador.
- Following communiques are sent to the various worlds:
To the Star Empire of Manticore, The Core Protectorate and the Corellian Empire:
Your excellencies.
The Imperial Remnant would like to extend an invitation to the signing ceremony on Coruscant. The ceremony shall take place as soon as possible. The signing itself will take place on Coruscant, with drinks followed at an orbital skyhook.
The dignitaries will gather in the Axum system with their respective entourage and then proceed to Coruscant. Please coordinate with the offices of Feena D'Asta and Moff Saenger and communicate the details of your arrival and entourage.
Second Communique to the Star Empire of Manticore, The Core Protectorate and the Corellian Empire:
Imperial engineers have rebuilt holonet access for the worlds of Ord Cantrell, the Nez Peron sector and our core worlds. The Imperial Remnant would be most willing to built holonet access stations at cost for its allies (OOC: meaning, I don't get anything out of it). The current time to completion for one station is one year, with the price for one station being.....(OOC: 25 points for 1 station, with one station being enough to service several close worlds, but not worlds that are far apart.)
Communique to the Concordat Alliance, delivered to Ambassador Pooja Naberrie on Ord Cantrell:
Your excellency.
The Imperial Remnant would like to extend an invitation to the Concordat Alliance for the signing ceremony of the Core Alliance Treaty, to be signed on Coruscant followed by a celebration.
We would also like to extend an offer for Imperial holonet access to your faction. As a sign of our mutual trust, we would be willing to construct several access stations for you at cost. We currently estimate that three stations with the main one at Naboo would be enough to grant you nationwide access.
I have been instructed to add the personal greetings by Prime Minster Captison to your most exalted Queen. Prime Minister Captison remembers your hospitality very fondly and would like to extend the same courtesy to your sovereign.
We hope you accept our invitation. If you do, please coordinate with the offices of Feena D'Asta and Moff Saenger and communicate the details of your arrival and entourage.
Yours respectfully,
Baroness-designate Feena D'Asta, Head of the Imperial Diplomatic corps.
Communique to all Nations:
The Imperial Remnant has rebuilt holonet access and as an offer of goodwill would like to extend that same access to friendly nations. Please sent your inquiries to the offices of Councilwoman the Lady Mahd Windcaller, chairman of Windcaller corporation.
