Embassy Wars: The saga continues

Embassy Wars — Episode VIII: Dawn of the Alliance (posted Aug. 4)

It was now known that the Alliance was in full control of all economic development for the planet of Vance. The Emperor was busy meeting with all of his newly appointed members, conspiring how to increase their wealth and strategically acquire sectors of planet Vance where future development was planned. Each member was charged with seeking ways to maneuver around federation tariffs to increase their profitability.

The Emperor had planned to utilize uneducated, federation-funded rebels to man the overwhelming slue of feeding stations that were being erected all over the planet. This would ensure economic stability in the region and assure that those loyal to the Emperor would remain in power and increase in wealth. Lord Slum was pleased that the Alliance would see that new establishments would keep the wages low so that his properties would continue to flourish.

The Emperor was pleased to know that the Empire had frozen the federation Powell Bill Fund to keep a balance in the force. This funding would remain untapped until the Emperor saw fit for its use. Previous funding was used to reconstruct the docking bays to one of his fuel outposts in the Dorsey section. This included the widening of the landing zone for shuttles that flew by.

The Empire was looking into plans to construct a new star gate that would allow ships to pass from the intergalactic highway to the southern quadrant toward the Raleigh sector and bypass the inner empire through a loop. The Emperor was pleased that he had a fuel outpost strategically placed at this merging point. The Emperor met with Darth Manager.

Emperor: It is good that we meet again, my dear friend. I have foreseen ways to use federation money that the Empire is holding.

Darth Manager: Master, I am awaiting your command to tap into this resource we have frozen.

Emperor: You are charged with ensuring allegiance from the council to my alliance. My alliance will make all future economic decisions, and you need to stress to the council this command.

Darth Manager: Yes, my master. My mastery of smoke and mirrors will assure this.

Meanwhile, at a meeting of the commissioners of Vance, the Chair rose up to speak.

Chair: My fellow commissioners, I plead to you to approve a $45,000 tariff relief for Chancellor Demetriades. The Emperor has promised this to him, and it would be unwise to not abide by the Emperor’s wishes.

Commissioner Brown: What will prevent this from reoccurring with other businesses in the future that remain loyal to Vance?

Chair: Madame Brown, must you question every wish that the Emperor has? Only he will make these promises in the future, and if he does, then we must obey.

Commissioner Brown: Can you not see how the Alliance will soon overtake all our power of decision-making for our people? This is just the beginning, and the Alliance will soon reign supreme.

Chair: Now, now, my sweet madam, you must understand that this is all for the good of the people. So what if the Emperor and his legion of siths prosper from this.

The commissioners all left the meeting with the realization that their power was only a shadow of the Emperor and that he was the real power that made decisions in Vance.

A meeting was held at the council chambers, and two rebels emerged and requested to speak openly.

Chancellor Clem: This meeting is now open for business, and we will hear opening statements from the rebels.

Rebel 1: I have been told that the storm troopers have converged on the intergalactic highway and are there for the sole purpose of seizing space smugglers’ assets. The chief storm trooper has stated they were there to ensure safety for travelers. I pay tariffs to this Empire, and I expect protection closer to my home.

Chancellor Clem: You are obviously mistaken. The chief storm trooper has stated his intentions. His storm troopers are there to prevent collisions of spacecrafts and prevent them from engaging warp drive.

Rebel 1: If this is so, then why did Councilor Evans of Sector 1 state otherwise?

Chancellor Clem: Silence! It is obvious that you do not believe me, so I will have the chief storm trooper prepare a written plan documenting his future intentions with his deployed force.

Rebel 2: Chancellor, my family has been victims to these Tuskin Raiders that roam this sector, and we are afraid of more attacks. We are defenseless against this opposing force, and you need to increase the number of storm troopers that patrol this system of the galaxy. If this is not done, then I will seek election to this council, and then I will see that my wishes are carried out.

Chancellor Clem: Yes, I too sense this disturbance among the order established here in this sector, and I will have the chief storm trooper prepare another written plan to address this problem. I am all for giving the chief all the resources that he needs to fight this war. If he needs a vertical propelled rotating gyro craft to oversee the progress, then I am all for it. If he needs to double his resources and the number of storm troopers, then he may have it. Of course, it will be up to the council to grant this wish.

The council murmured to each other in disbelief that Chancellor Clem had put the burden of the war on them and their budget. It was obvious that none of the things Chancellor Clem said could be materialized without the available funds. The rebel taxpayers went away disillusioned that things in the sector would change.

Chancellor Clem: I am requesting that the council grant me funds to travel with the chief storm trooper and his delegation to planet Boston to receive a certificate of accreditation. I will ensure that our city is represented well. It has been some time since I have had fresh Nephropidae and seen a professional ballgame.

The travel expense was granted for the Chancellor and the entire delegation. The delegation received the certificate and returned to the upper level of the command ship. As the delegation gazed out the starboard side portals, they noticed the new additions to the Death Star and its increased size.

Chief Stormtrooper: It will be a far cry going from fresh Bostonian Nephropidae to dyed nitrated swine cylinders. Has Jabba made preparations for the feast? Captain, send out an alert beacon to notify all stormtroopers of the feast and prepare my shuttle.

The Emperor met with Padawan Wester, and the two discussed the future of things.

Emperor: My young apprentice, I see that you have elected to do battle directly with Princess Elissa in Sector 3.

Padawan Wester: Was this not your wish, my lord, to see her not re-elected?

Emperor: Yes, it was, and you have well pleased me thus far. You must now ensure you are re-elected, and I will ensure you any funding you may need. Princess Elissa has questioned me for the last time. The elections will be upon us soon, and we must be prepared to do battle. Padawan Burnette has been busy posting on the rebel Web site that she has delusions of grandeur and that everything is a conspiracy. He has pleased me well, and you will ensure he is looked at favorably next year for the insurance contract.

Padawan Wester: Yes, my master, he will be instructed further in the ancient art of smoke and mirrors. As far as Princess Elissa is concerned, I will smear her name and ensure allegiance from the voters.

The Emperor met with the attorney of the district and members of the bench and discussed legal ways to expose the rebellious posters on the rebel Web site.

Emperor: Mr. Currin, I have noticed that you too have been the target of recent attacks by these rebel posters.

Attorney of District 9: Yes, my lord, these posters are questioning my loyalty to the established system that prosecutes Tuskin Raiders.

Emperor: Perhaps you need to inquire into this matter and use whatever resources you have. Your first stop should be at the Sheriff of Vance.

Attorney of District 9: My lord, this will consume much time, and I must focus on prosecuting the raiders.

Emperor: This matter is of much more importance, and the prosecution of raiders is not my concern unless I am affected. You are to find these rebels and give their identities to me.

The attorney of the district left and headed to the House of Courts and sought the Sheriff to acquire the identities of the posters. Many scrambled, and an inquisition began. Further stealth measures were put in place to hide IP addresses from the Emperor. The shadow of the Death Star grew larger and darker as the days passed. The inevitable fate of a depleted Empire was materializing before all that would open their eyes to the deception. The elected officials continue to fail their office by giving in to the Emperor’s wishes.