Strategy Centre

At the appointed time, Sinistra emerged from the lobby of the closest office building, ascending the stage while Lorta asked everyone to take their seats. She looked impeccable, in a finely tailored set of formal robes of traditional noble cut, in silver, lilac and black. She was wearing makeup, her hair artfully done up to make sure her face and ears would be free of obstructions. She smiled at the crowd, and began her address.

"Good afternoon. I come to you today to talk about the recent losses we have suffered across the sovereign worlds of Dark Tide. The Mandalorian crusade has been successfully stopped thanks in part to the sacrifices made by the men and women of Dark Tide. We struck a blow against the fanatical regime of Ashrah and his forces have retreated back to their homeworld, their ability to strike out at us taken away from them. But the price of that comfort has not come cheaply for any of those involved. All sides have suffered setbacks and catastrophic death tolls. Taung H'rel, who decimated 2 planets, costing millions of lives met his death on this very planet.

It is time to turn our focus away from the things we have lost but it is hard to turn away from those nightmares when they are still going on for some of the galaxy. The people of Kuat were evacuated by the Republic and I thank them for their help to save so many precious lives. There has been talk to join the Republic and I took those wishes with me to Coruscant and I addressed the Senate. It was less than encouraging. There is much bureaucracy and much descension among the members who serve there. They are far removed from their homes, their focus so narrowed on their own prestige that the decadence and opulence of the domed house of government is an affront to the people who are dying for them to send troops, relief or trade.

I want to believe that they would have loftier aspirations but they are flawed and self righteous. They know better than you how you should be protected. Or helped. They do not see you as equal. We cannot look to them for fairness. They want the coffers of KDY but suggested that Dark Tide should not rebuild their lost ships. Without those ships, I cannot protect trade routes, or supply lines to worlds torn apart in this war. They cannot help their own people. There are too many voices in the Senate, too many interests vying for their own ambition. The leadership is ineffective and corruption is rampant.

We are better off making our own way as we always have but my eyes are open now to the failings of the Republic. I cannot turn my back on the ones they have underserved.  But as Dark Tide, we cannot do the things we must to enrich the lives of not only our worlds but of those who also have no delusions about the effectiveness of the Senate. Effective immediately, Dark Tide is no more. We will not carry on as merely an economic alliance of worlds. Beginning today, we stand together as an Empire, destined to support each other under the rule of one who has never faltered in their commitment to the success and growth of the worlds who raised our banner.

As your Emperor, I ask you to help me rebuild those worlds who have seen devastation. Upon this planet, we will establish our own Senate, where the representatives you choose help to guide me in diverting the flow of trade and resources where all worlds will thrive. To those watching from worlds who have been forgotten by the Senate, pull your support. Pledge your alliegance to the Galactic Empire and I personally promise you that you will never be just a anonymous pod of nameless dignitaries in the crowd. Ask the citizens of our worlds, reach out to our embassies.

This marks the beginning of a new era in the galaxy. One of growth, one of prosperity. One where the Empire is rebuilt to a greater and stronger vision than the Republic could ever hope to be. Long live the Empire!"

Her speech complete, Sinistra leaves the podium and disappears into the lobby of the office building she had earlier appeared from.