Messages In This Thread

Ryccia · 07-26-2021, 10:07 PM

Imperial Chancellery, Executive District, Daonlathas
The Core, Ryccian Empire

Sometimes, even the most microscopic of trivialities can create a wind of revolution.

The startling revelation that blood-thirsty savages could exist in the very backyard of the Empire sent shockwaves across the Imperial government. Ferul ordered the Empire’s prominent wormhole scientists to investigate and verify if the Stoinian calculations were indeed correct. On the surface, this may appear as a rightful measure to ensure the Empire’s security, but, as political as ever, Ferul was actually stalling. This new wildcard threatened the entire political establishment, and it could do far, far more. He knew all too well that immediately releasing this information would be akin to setting a mighty rainforest ablaze. His government, his power, the Ryccian political culture itself...all of it, gone in a single second.

Ferul spent the time not trying to address this new danger, but ensuring that its knowledge remained secret, at least, for the time being. As the holder of this data, he wanted to use it as a political card when he was ready and whenever it was most convenient for him and his coalition. As many people know of it, he was actually focusing on suppressing internal dissent and reducing the potential for any leaks. He had his private spy ring center on the military high command and other…”suspicious” members of the Cabinet. He was made aware of any potential leakers, from the righteously naive to the boldest opportunist, and began sending threats or offers accordingly so they could keep quiet.

The Chancellor was truly shameless. Then again, who wasn’t? This is how politics is conducted. The current governing coalition was made up of mostly ideologically pacifist parties. In the lower and middle levels, honesty could exist. However, in the highest echelons of the political ladder, it was hard to be a saint, or at least have the integrity of one. Whilst brazen forms of open corruption such as government nepotism, bribery through cash and assets, and other such old-school tactics were uncommon, it was expected that, if politicians favoured certain interests, they could obtain certain rewards. You’re down in the polls on your own planet? Pester the higher ups and make some political deals to gain favour from the central government. Want to secure your future after you retire from politics? Why, a regulation or two favouring a certain company could sure use some cutting or expanding, either for them to operate easier or so their rivals are crushed under the weight of bureaucracy. Sure, their rivals will also prosper in the former case and the company in question would also bleed with the latter, but you have to know when to lose and when to win some, right? Maybe you’re a narcissist who wants power and not wealth to satisfy your ego, or maybe you’re intelligent enough to be useful but also righteous enough to have somewhat of a moral spine. The political game also has a road for you! Go up the ladder, you greedy devil! Or, use your intellect to be a willing pawn in order to do some good within the system! Maybe you have another agenda that doesn’t fit with any of these parameters. Whatever your motivations, though, remember one thing: if you want to go up, you have to be willing to kick anyone down to the abyss of failure when the opportunity presents itself, or if you’re forced to do so. Show no mercy.

So, the Chancellor had national security at the back of his mind. It was his position that he was concerned for. Once he had a plan to control the narrative and wade off any bad PR, then he would reveal it to the public.

But the military wasn’t the government. In the military, the cult for meritocracy was alive and well. Ideals flourished there. One officer, deeming it her duty to the Empire, leaked the information. She didn’t care if the Chancellor or the ISB were spying on her. Let them touch her, and she would personally gnaw on their flesh!...Well, not really, but, y’know.

Autuxorra Folishinawan was one of the Grand Admirals of the Imperial Navy. Her husband was a university professor on national criminal law, and, after consulting him, she made her move. As this was information “relevant to the general public”, she saw it fit to leak it.

The barbarity of the Venterran menace, the irrational behaviour, the fact that they were right there...all of it was leaked to the press.

The Cabinet had a meltdown. Most military officers were pleased. The ISB saw it fit to not intervene for the moment.

The fire had begun to burn.

Deputy Regional Minister of the Planning and Development Agency(March 8-May 19, 2014)

Local Council Member(April 24-August 11)

Court Justice of TSP(August 15-December 7)

Quotes

[Image: 9ehfkQV.png]

(This post was last modified: 07-26-2021, 10:13 PM by Ryccia.)