BREAKING NEWS – RESTORATION HEADQUARTERS
Coruscant (RENB) - In a stunning move two days ago the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Military, Lord Admiral Hatori Hoorl, and the entirety of Imperial Military Command have broken away from the Galactic Empire and founded The Restored Empire. In a sharp repudiation of the corruption that plagues Emperor Jai Meridan’s inner circle, Lord Admiral Hoorl said the time had come for honorable Imperial men and women to stand up and acknowledge the atrocities and abuses of power committed by the current and former regimes, that harm the very citizens the Empire should protect.
In a poignant address delivered mere moments ago, Lord Admiral Hatori Hoorl offered these solemn words: "Fellow Imperials, it is incumbent upon us to heed the call of our conscience. We must confront the specters of corruption and abuse that have plagued our Empire, emanating from the Throne, Imperial High Command, and yes, even from within my own actions. The insidious tendrils of corruption have entwined themselves so deeply that even those in the highest echelons of power feel compelled to emulate such malfeasance merely to survive. I, too, have succumbed to these temptations, and now endeavor to make amends for my transgressions. I made crass remarks behind others' backs, I helped seek action to remove an Admiral, a former and close friend, from his position for minor transgressions. I was successful, and Octavian now wanders the void, adrift and alone, because of me. I know of the corruption because I was complicit.
Of those that came with me, I am alone in these transgressions. Those true Imperials who have joined me in this endeavor harbor no ambition for power, rank, or position. Though I bore the title of Lord Admiral when I embarked on this path, I retain it still today. Our true Throne remains vacant, awaiting a sovereign untainted by self-serving corruption. The era of falsehoods, deceit, and shadowy machinations orchestrated by Imperial Intelligence officers spreading misinformation and half-truths has reached its end. Let us usher in a new epoch of honor and integrity within our Empire."
At the heart of the Restored Empire is the ‘Declaration of Restoration’, a manifesto of the unwavering beliefs that peace, freedom, justice, and security are to be achieved for the benefit of the people, not at their expense. The signatories to this document aspire to be the peaceful and enlightened heirs to the legacy of the Old Republic and the New Order. One of the authors, Fleet Admiral Cataldo Blackstar, was quoted as saying, “Though it breaks my heart to do so, I believe the intolerable acts of the Emperor and his High Command need to be brought to the light. We will no longer stand by and allow ourselves to be the pawns of those who think themselves our betters”. Citing numerous abuses, including widespread corruption among the Inner Circle, the exercise of power for personal gain, internal plots for control at the expense of the people, and the exclusionary species policy of the Galactic Empire… the Restoration seeks to defend the rights of all sentient beings and to bring the peace, order, and prosperity that was once promised, but never truly delivered.
Amidst the backdrop of these recent events, the Restored Empire has taken the first necessary steps toward securing peace and stability for the entire galaxy. In a historic move, diplomatic channels were opened, and negotiations ensued, leading to the unprecedented signing of an armistice agreement with Rebel Forces. This monumental achievement marks a pivotal moment in the annals of galactic history, as erstwhile adversaries come together to lay down their arms and forge a path toward reconciliation. The cessation of hostilities signifies a commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and the pursuit of common ground, heralding a new era of understanding and cooperation among factions long divided by conflict. As the Restored Empire continues to navigate the complexities of galactic politics, this momentous accord stands as a testament to the power of diplomacy and the indomitable spirit of unity in the face of adversity.
Sources close to the story are already calling this the ‘Hoorl-Kanuteau Treaty.’ This landmark agreement, named in honor of the visionary leaders who spearheaded the negotiations, Lord Admiral Hatori Hoorl and Director Jonas Kanuteau, represents a triumph of diplomacy over discord. With the stroke of a pen, the terms of the armistice agreement were codified, laying the groundwork for a new era of cooperation and understanding between the Restored Empire and Rebel Forces. The Hoorl-Kanuteau Treaty stands as a testament to the tireless efforts of diplomats and statesmen, who labored diligently to bridge the divide and chart a course toward a brighter future for all inhabitants of the galaxy. As the echoes of conflict fade into memory, the promise of peace beckons, offering hope for a galaxy united in purpose and prosperity.
When asked why an Imperial would seek to open such a dialogue with someone previously considered an enemy, Lord Admiral Hoorl had this to say: “In moments of adversity, when one finds themselves besieged by adversaries intent on stifling dissent, there arises an imperative to transcend conventional thinking and explore alternatives some would consider unnatural. Such trials, though daunting, serve as catalysts for innovation and ingenuity, compelling one to venture beyond the confines of traditional wisdom and embrace the boundless possibilities that lie beyond the constraints of the familiar.”
In contrast to previous Imperial Civil Wars, in which some members embarked on a campaign of looting and base piracy, the objectors to the corruption of the Meridan Empire simply declared their intention to leave supported by their well-reasoned arguments. In response, Meridan has ordered forces loyal to him to illegally seize all citizens of his Empire who give the slightest appearance of disloyalty to his corrupt regime. Further reports indicate that all military regional task forces have been ordered to lock down and disconnect from the galactic holonet, leaving thousands of officers stranded in space without access to the outside world.
Sources close to the story indicate that the Amber Region Taskforce has been suffering from the harshest crackdowns, with the safety of many officers detained by ISB being called into question. This was proven the case when an ISB strike team boarded and seized control of the bridge of an Imperial-class Star Destroyer, much to the shock of the captain and crew of the vessel. Reports indicate that when asked what was happening, the ISB field agent responded with “loyalty testing” before locking the captain and bridge crew in a briefing room. For those within the Meridan Empire, such heavy-handed tactics remind many of the early days under previous despots.
While the Restored Empire is already the target of a smear campaign by the Meridan Empire's propaganda machine, several officers still under Meridan’s control were impressed by the dignity with which the true Heirs to the Empire departed. Supreme Commander Hatori Hoorl was asked to comment: "I was given assurances by Executor Rezik that any that wanted to follow would be permitted to peaceably do so. I took Executor Rezik for a man of honor. I was mistaken. He lied." The Supreme Commander’s words resonated with a profound sense of betrayal, as he lamented the broken promises of Cihl “Cihllian” Rezik and the deceitful machinations of those who have forsaken honor for personal gain.
Meanwhile, Meridan's Imperial High Command continues to embezzle funds from the government and the citizens they swore to protect. Among those individuals proven to have embezzled funds is none other than Grand Vizier Marcus Elensar. Elensar is the leader of the Imperial Security Bureau, COMPNOR, and Ministry of Industry and third in command of the Meridan Empire. While accepting funds directly into his back pocket, he has maliciously endorsed allowing his ISB agents to sow terror into the hearts and minds of innocent, law-abiding Imperial citizens. It would seem the “Price of Pride” has a set credit amount for the Grand Vizier.
In addition to Elensar’s pecuniary perfidy, he also was noted to be an extremely staunch supporter of humanocentric attitudes, including his having a firm stance against any "Non-Class A" sentients taking advanced roles within the Meridan Empire. Elensar is reportedly quoted as saying “We have enough of their kind already” in reference to alien personnel in COMPNOR. This sentiment was shared by Jai Meridan who actively vetoed and rejected the reinstatement of the military class waiver which was enacted by former Empress Ventidius.
This has led some to rhetorically ask “How else would the Galactic Empire react?’, in light of their corruption being revealed to the Galaxy as a whole. It would seem with the usual tricks of propaganda, self-aggrandizement, and further lies to support and cover their tyrannical and illegitimate reign.
In spite of the chaos and corruption that plague the Galactic Empire, a beacon of hope has emerged in the form of The Restored Empire—standing as a bastion of integrity and righteousness in a galaxy shrouded by darkness. This new force sends out a call for any sentient wishing to join the cause of peace, freedom, justice, and security to enlist today and make a difference. The invitation to join the Restored Empire is not merely a call to arms, but a heartfelt plea to all Imperials to cast aside the shackles of oppression, say “enough is enough,” and join a cause worthy of their allegiance. It beckons to those who still harbor dreams of a brighter future, free from the tyranny and greed that have poisoned the halls of power for far too long. In the embrace of the Restored Empire, there lies the promise of redemption, unity, and a legacy forged in the fires of justice and compassion.
