Retirement taunts me as always.
26 Nov 2021Extremofire
26 Nov, 3307.2230, Galactic Mean Time.
Regulus Building, Aeneas, New Carthage.
Carthage system, Imperial territory.
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I haven't written a logbook in a long time... I have been so busy with administrating our glorious Legion, that I've barely spent time in the front. What have I been doing all this time? Well, For a period of time following the Extra Corporation war, I was covertly helping supply fusion reactors to our less fortunate Legion citizens. Why would a high-ranking Imperial officer do such a thing, you may ask? Look at the numbers; the total number of Legion citizenry has absolutely exploded to astronomical figures. What was a simple military oligarchy less than a decade ago has been fully vested by the Imperial Navy, the Imperial Senate, and the Imperial High Command. We have gone from a few hundred thousand adherents to entire star systems in the Emperor's territory, with tens of billions of Imperial citizens pledging allegiance to our specific governance in the Empire.
But with such great numbers spawns great inequity. No matter how airtight our government is, no matter how well-developed (if I may say so myself), there will inevitably be some malfeasance in the works. The anti-corruption ethos of our Emperor be damned: no one can impose justice upon a system of billions without some rats slipping through the cracks. So I found peace in my work doing what I believe is the most corruption-resistant duty: empowering our underappreciated populations. In late 3306, I was toiling day and night with six other Legion patrons, producing fusion reactors for those in our ancillary systems such as Narakapani. We just recently finished celebrating Ancillia Week in the Legion, but a week of celebration for what many call our "lesser" workers is hardly a morale boost for those people. Though we operate under true Imperial Patronage, some do not regard our Ancillia as they should. It angers me. It's my hope that seeing a Praetor and his Patrons arrive with extremely valuable energy technology will ensure that these citizens, faced with such scrutiny, continue to believe in the Legion as I do. I rest easy this year, knowing our Ancillia are more than well-equipped following my campaign... though I know we must address those newer additions to our government that are likely recovering from their former oppressive leaders being displaced by our Praetorians.
I have also, admittedly, been taking time to work incognito amongst our citizens. Governor Peck loves to do this as well, and he and I often gallivant around Legion territory in disguise. I worked in the mines of Murus for a week-long contract, and no one even realized who I was. Only those in the Praetor Council were aware of my whereabouts and I intend to keep it that way. I find it refreshing to escape the gilded walls of my office in Aeneas and take the time to truly understand my people. Even our great Emperor, in her infinite wisdom, did such a thing as a young politician, and I take pride in continuing that pivotal philosophy.
It has certainly taken a toll on me, however. I have found myself unable to sustain the administration of the OCOR and the NCCI, and often I return from my adventures sullen and drained. I'm thankful that, over the past few years, I have enabled many other officers to step up, and indeed, a handful of them have found themselves most useful being promoted to being my equals, as colleagues in the Council. But it is a melancholy and bittersweet revelation that I, Ignis Montis, may be at the end of his long tenure in Legion leadership.
Perhaps I will retire amongst my people, working for the good of the Empire. Perhaps I will retire with Elder Norman amongst the endless, sweet green of Shangjun in Aerial... he's written me often begging me to join him; retirement in Aerial sounds lavish and lovely.
Or... perhaps I simply need another drink to tackle the work again another day. Just don't tell Governor Peck; it's illegal as is, and he's trying to get me to quit. Old bastard doesn't know all my stashes yet.