The Imperial HoloNet
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The Collapse Leads to Controversial New Appointment
Kuat City, Kuat (HoloNet) - The galactic economy continues its downward spiral today. Markets in the Outer Rim have responded to decreased production by the Commerce Guilds and the Corporate Alliance. Demand is down in all markets except the Deep Core for luxury goods and services. The Kuat Drive Yards continue to produce pre-credit crisis level vessels only because of their exclusive contract with the Eternal Empire.
The economic fallout from The Collapse, as it is now known, has seen billions of people displaced on planets from Kuat to Reldar Prime. The Eternal Empire’s financial districts on Kuat and Mygeeto have responded by taking a “strong-armed” approach to economic stability. Moff Suspiria, celebrated financial guru of the Empire, has mysteriously vanished, leading some to speculate that she has been disappeared by the Sith government or in accordance with her own free will.
In any case, the appointment of Sintas Volder, former President of the First Galactic Bank of Coruscant, to the position of Chief Executor of the Galactic Financial Bureau, has raised eyebrows by the rank and file figures of power. Sith administrators have long held top jobs in government, and Madame Volder is now the fifth highest-ranking official in the Empire’s line of succession, behind the Grand Vizier, the Darkest Knight, and the Grand Moff.
Sintas Volder caught the attention of the HoloNet’s owner and operator, Lexicon Sespis, over two years ago at a conference on Dorin. It was there that Volder used her influence to broker a deal between Czerka and the First Galactic Bank of Coruscant to stabilize markets in the Deep Core before The Collapse was even a blip on most analysts’ readouts. Her eleventh hour appointment to the position of Chief Executor is an obvious bid by the Eternal Empire to bring balance back to the markets.
Speaking for the Emperor from the press suite of Empire One, Chief of Staff Kayte Cleves had this to say: “Sintas Volder has the Eternal Empire’s every confidence. Her successful business dealings in the past have stabilized one segment of the galaxy, so we have high hopes in the Palace.”
The Empire’s Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces and Moff of Hapes has introduced legislation in the Moff’s Council to block the appointment: “This violates the Emperor’s renewed promise to run these kinds of decisions by the council. Though there is no law, the Emperor is backing down from a promise he made to us when we voted to keep him in office last year when he attempted to abdicate.”
When asked if the Emperor should now abdicate, Darth Marix responded with: “Of course he should not abdicate, but he should realize that not everyone on the Moff’s Council is pleased with this decision.”
Professor Der Franjela of Vortex University’s Political Science program has devoted his life to Sith politics. “It’s an unusual move,” Franjela said, “For members of the Moff’s Council to speak so rashly in opposition to the Emperor’s judgments.” He places opposition to Volder’s appointment running about 20% in the lower governmental chamber.
Whether or not sentiments are shared in the High Council is unknown. Dark Lords and their staffs have denied commenting on the appointment.
The Collapse has seen unemployment rise from 5% galaxy-wide to over 12%. Speaking at her first press conference, Emperor Shadow and Grand Moff Tarna flanking her on either side, Madame Volder said: “I speak directly to the banks when I say ‘loosen up.’ I come from a banking background, I understand the fear, but unemployment, the housing crisis, and falling numbers in job creation are a result of predatory loans. Loosen up.”
An elite corps of veteran journalists lined up to speak with the history-making 27-year old female from Coruscant. She is the youngest current member of the Emperor’s Inner Circle, but not the youngest in history. What makes Volder special, Professor Fanjela notes, is the nature of her existence: “She’s non-Force sensitive. Emperor Shadow knew what he was doing when he picked her for the job.”
Most non-Force sensitive people have grown accustomed to important decisions being made by those with greater insights into the galaxy. Having such a high-profile “ordinary” person in a position such as Chief Executor may cause more anxiety in a struggling economic time. Time will tell.
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