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Powerplay Standings: November 3310

With a renewed focus on internal politics within the core systems, Conrad Sterling of Vox Galactica has provided an analysis of the current support for key figures of importance based on system allegiance.

Population surveys suggest the following five powers lead the way in this early stage:

Rank 1: Edmund Mahon - 1355 systems

Rank 2: Aisling Duval - 1296 systems

Rank 3: Arissa Lavigny-Duval - 1162 systems

Rank 4: Yuri Grom - 956 systems

Rank 5: Pranav Antal - 659 systems

With power influence fluctuating from week to week, it remains to be seen if these powers will enjoy their relatively large influence over the coming months.

Powers are offering plenty of incentives and rewards for those pledging to their cause, with independent pilots reaping the benefits of the growing struggle for prestige and authority.

Vox Galactica will continue to monitor the ongoing political landscape as it unfolds.

A New Dawn for Humanity?

With the Thargoid invasion force seemingly on the edge of defeat, political analysts have presented several arguments for what follows.

The potential balance of power across the core systems will be heavily influenced by the ambitions of its primary players – perhaps crucially in the Federation, claims Jean-Daniel Moulin:

“President Winters has finally taken up residence in the White House, ready to face a multitude of challenges. A depressed war economy, mass citizen displacement and a series of late-term policies implemented by the outgoing Zachary Hudson will keep her schedule full for months. Jeremy Archer stands opposite her in Congress, ready to pounce on any signs of weakness and eager to fully emerge from the long shadow of Hudson as the true leader of the Republican party.”

On the Imperial front, Cassia Carvalho of the Imperial Herald has provided a summary of those most likely to benefit post-invasion:

“Emperor Arissa remains the figurehead of Imperial authority, and the successful navigation of military, migrant and domestic challenges has only enhanced her popularity. Likewise for Senator Denton Patreus, whose tactical leadership during the Thargoid war reinforced his power as Admiral of the Fleet. Princess Aisling enjoys glowing praise from Aegis figures as part of the Imperial delegation to the anti-xeno initiative, particularly her focus on humanitarian operations. And Senator Zemina Torval seems poised to assume the position of Chancellor in the near future. What comes next for the continued glory of the Empire?”

In the Alliance, Prime Minister Mahon faces his strongest opposition for some time in the Alliance, according to Vanya Driscoll of the Alliance Tribune:

“There have been some accusations towards the Prime Minister of a lack of decisive leadership during the Thargoid invasion. His reliance on a military pact with Sirius Corporation to enhance the Alliance Defence Force’s AX capabilities awoke key dissenters to Mahon's otherwise popular rule – most notably from Councillor Nakato Kaine, whose anti-corporate stance and strong devotion to the Alliance’s founding ideals have won her plenty of support.”

Various newsfeeds discussed other figures: Sirius Corporation’s continued influence over many aspects of the corporate landscape gives CEO Li Yong-Rui considerable power. Pranav Antal, Simguru of the Utopia, leads a far smaller but vital community of devotees convinced of their guide’s future-tech vision.

Yuri Grom remains a prominent independent fleet commander – viewed as a principled liberator to some, and a ruthless dictator to others. Finally, the Pirate King Archon Delaine’s recent targeted attacks on Emperor Arissa and Shadow President Archer suggests he sees an opportunity to expand his criminal influence in the early post-Invasion era.

Kumo Crew Claims Responsibility for Nanomam 1 Explosion

An explosion outside the Federal Republican Party offices on Nanomam 1 has claimed the lives of three government workers.

The blast originated from a small shuttle waiting to collect Shadow President-elect Jerome Archer, who had spent the morning at the building on party business. Archer was reportedly approaching the vehicle at the time of the explosion but was unharmed.

While security services hunted for evidence among the wreckage, a public announcement from Archon Delaine quickly claimed responsibility:

“All the surveillance technology in the galaxy could not prevent the Kumo Crew from reaching Jerome Archer’s personal vehicle. Only by our generosity does he live to learn from this event. He wraps himself in the cloak of the police state, blind to the real danger to people like him: complacency.”

“As the Emperor recently discovered, all the wealth and titles humanity has to offer provide little protection when faced with reality. Their deaths would mean less than the message: even if the Thargoid war is won, there are dangers waiting for you all that have been ignored for too long.”

Media commentators have speculated that this statement also claims responsibility for the attempted ambush of Emperor Arissa’s convoy earlier this month. A short response from an Imperial Senate spokesperson has dismissed such talk, saying that Delaine was ‘nothing more than a self-aggrandising pirate eager for the spotlight.’

This latest incident highlights growing concerns that the core systems face a significant period of post-Thargoid invasion uncertainty. Pressing concerns include a cooled economic climate, widespread population movements and significant military spending by all superpowers.

Emperor Arissa Ambushed in Cubeo System

Emperor Arissa has survived an assault on her convoy in the Cubeo system. Imperial Guard pilots fought off the perpetrators in a brief but intense firefight.

The Emperor was returning from a state visit to Cubeo 3, where communities across the planet were hosting a biennial harvest festival in her honour. On route to the orbiting INV Achenar’s Valour, a squadron of unidentified ships dropped out of supercruise and attacked her shuttle amidst the dozen Imperial Guard vessels protecting it.

Colm Tornquist wrote the following for the Imperial Herald:

“As far as we’ve been able to ascertain, the conflict between these shameless aggressors and the Imperial Guard was significant. There is no doubt that the Emperor was the target of a mission in which no participant expected to survive.”

“Thankfully, the overwhelming skill and firepower of the brave Imperial Guard were able to screen the Emperor’s shuttle from severe damage. The hostile vessels were destroyed in short order.”

Senator Denton Patreus labelled the attack ‘as outrageous as it was foolish’ and proposed an increase in the Emperor’s security presence for public appearances. He stopped short of blaming any specific entity for the attack, but claimed that ‘the Empire’s traditional foes have nurtured their true ambitions in the shadow of the Thargoid conflict.’ Denton also stated that further aggressions would ‘invite a reminder that the power and resources of the Imperial Fleet can eradicate human threats just as efficiently as xeno ones.’

Princess Aisling, who regularly uses Cubeo as a headquarters for her many state programs, condemned the incident as ‘a regrettable act by the lost or desperate,’ and spoke of her relief at her aunt’s survival. At the time of the attack the Princess was in Duamta as part of her collaboration with the Aegis initiative.

Empire Continues ‘Protective Sanctuary’ for Abductees

Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval has decided that all Imperial citizens recovered from Thargoid Titans will remain in quarantine indefinitely.

An official pronouncement on behalf of the Emperor was distributed by the Imperial Palace:

“Every subject of the Empire who was abducted by the Thargoids is receiving the highest possible quality of treatment and support. The Emperor has ordered that they will be given exemplary medical and psychological care, for as long as they remain in medical isolation.”

“As is always the case, the security of our society is paramount. Protective sanctuary is being provided for tens of thousands of individuals, in order that billions are spared the prospect – however unlikely – of an alien influence taking root within the Empire. That is the honourable path, and the Emperor is confident her people will understand the wisdom of this decision.”

The Imperial Herald’s political journalist Cassia Carvalho analysed the ramifications:

“It is unusual for the actions of other superpowers to be acknowledged these days, but the issue of detaining Thargoid abductees has crossed all borders. In this case, the Alliance’s decision to allow them to return home has prompted Her Majesty to insist that keeping them in isolation is for the greater good.”

“Court insiders revealed that Princess Aisling Duval sought a personal audience with the Emperor, hoping to convince her to lift the quarantine. I’m told that this was refused in no uncertain terms, coupled with the suggestion that the Princess should focus her attention on her Aegis assignment.”

“The Imperial Palace also responded to Kamadhenu Medipure, which has called for all abductees to be relocated to deep space and possibly euthanised. The company was thanked for its ‘robust proposals’, but instructed to leave such considerations to the Senate.”

Federal Election: The Imperial Perspective

As the Federation readies itself for a new president, the Empire is preparing for potential changes to its relationship with its historical rival.

Last year Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval severed all official collaboration with the other superpowers, except for limited contributions to Aegis. But this does not mean the Empire is ignoring the potential impact of either Jerome Archer or Felicia Winters becoming the next Federal president.

Senator Denton Patreus remarked on the election during a military parade through the city of Port Isabelle:

“The Federation’s leaders always reinforce their popularity by framing the Empire as the ‘great enemy’. I expect Archer will have those same aggressive tendencies. In truth, I’d prefer to deal with that predictable approach, since Winters is clearly the more cunning and deceitful candidate.”

Princess Aisling Duval was asked her opinion while visiting a xenology seminar hosted by the Achenar Research Council:

“I must admit that Felicia Winters’s style of governance is more appealing, though she should be mindful of her running mate’s influence. But whoever becomes president must break the cycle of hostility between Empire and Federation. My fruitful collaboration with other Aegis delegates, and ACT’s success against the Neo-Marlinist Liberation Army, is evidence of how effective inter-superpower cooperation can be.”

The election was also discussed by Cassia Carvalho, political journalist for The Imperial Herald:

“The average Imperial citizen has little interest in the Federation’s internal workings, but anxiety in the Senate is high. With the Thargoid war still raging, the prospect of a new president seeking to stamp their authority on the interstellar stage is a major concern. Conversely, some captains of industry anticipate a new era of trade with a friendlier Federation, if the Emperor can be convinced to rescind her isolationist decree.”

Voting within Federal systems has been running for 24 hours, and polling suggests Felicia Winters holds a slight lead over Jerome Archer. The election will run for another three days.

The Future of the Throne

The Imperial Senate has formally raised the issue that Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval has not yet produced any direct heirs.

The debate was instigated by Senator Lysandra Courcelle :

“The continuation of the Duval bloodline has formed the linchpin of our society for over a thousand years. But it has been eight years since Arissa Lavigny-Duval became our ruler. In that time there has been no spouse or consort, no indications of marriage, and no biological heir to the throne. We politely remind the Emperor of her duty to ensure the line of succession.”

Following a highly spirited exchange among senators, Chancellor Anders Blaine proclaimed:

“Her Majesty has sacrificed much for the Empire. It is not our place to question her personal choices, but rather to support her vision for our prosperity and security.”

Gudrun Vestergaard, royal correspondent for The Imperial Herald, analysed the situation:

“This is a delicate subject, but one of enormous importance. The Imperial Mother’s recent illness has brought into focus the passing of the torch through each generation of Duvals. Every Emperor of the last thousand years has had one or more children. The public has a certain expectation that an Emperor will produce healthy heirs to continue the Duval line, and each new birth is proudly celebrated across the Empire.”

“However, there has never been any indication that Arissa has a partner, or entertains marriage prospects of any kind. Princess Aisling Duval’s romantic liaisons – including, famously, a Federal ambassador – took the media spotlight for years. Hadrian Duval is married with a baby son, and others such as Archduke Otto Lombardo-Duval have multiple offspring. But Her Majesty seems content to rule alone.”

“Senator Courcelle has raised a valid question: how long can this continue? And if Arissa remains childless, who will be the next Emperor?”

Materials Received to Construct Duval Statues

*Pilots’ Federation ALERT*

A campaign by a minor Imperial Family member to deliver precious materials to Laedla has concluded.

The shipments of gold, jadeite and platinum will be used to construct statues of Duval family members, to be erected in public spaces in planetary cities across the Empire.

The project is the brainchild of Archduke Otto Lombardo-Duval, who announced:

“I am deeply grateful to all the pilots who mined or transported the resources we required. Work has already begun to forge them into beautiful works of art, commemorating past Emperors and other noble holders of the Duval name.”

“It is my honour to confirm the first two statues will be of Emperor Arissa Lavigny-Duval, located in the palace’s central plaza on Capitol, and of Lady Florence Lavigny, placed within the main square of Topaz’s capital city alongside the memorial sculpture of Emperor Hengist.”

Laedla Empire Assembly is now offering payment to those who delivered the required materials to Kummer Acropolis in the Laedla system. Bounty vouchers for all wanted ships destroyed within the system will also be redeemed.