HoloNet News My Pledge

[Emryc Thorne]

After the insistent nagging and urging from various different groups of people, Emryc decided to finally oblige. His absence from the galaxy had caused a bit of a stir among political circles, especially as the FWA and Republic had been all but silent the entire time. Their inaction proved that the ISC was the most driven political group in the Galactic Senate. With Emryc gone, even that had slowed down a bit, though their investments had panned out.

The camera switched from the local news to Emryc standing outside in a dress shirt and pants, his hair neat as always. He was standing near the site of a building that was being repurposed into a Ranger building in Rodia. He had made a point of never appearing sitting around behind a desk for his Holonet addresses. The galaxy knew he was always on the move when he was working.

The camera began to roll and his face flicked back on Holonet after almost a year.

“Citizens of the galaxy,” He began in that familiar baritone, “I will not waste anyone’s time with the details of my absence since the attack on Denon. The important thing is that I have returned and I intend to take action at once,” He pointed to the building behind him.

“This is an example of one of the many pledges I intend to make to the galaxy,” He said before he looked at the camera again, “This is the site of a special forces training facility for the ISC Rangers. I pledge to bolster our Ranger forces by investing in specialized training to help protect our borders and against threats of Force users. I pledge to push our Rangers to be the most elite police force in the galaxy and work in conjunction with a united military force that I hope to stand up at once."

Emryc’s eyes narrowed slightly, “The incident on Byblos was a tragedy, but we will not cast blame or point fingers. I pledge to send relief forces to aid planets that have been impacted by the Sith and AMS whether they are ISC or not. The ISC has invested in MorataCorp, and we are now looking at the beginnings of a vaccine. I pledge to tirelessly work to curb this disease and bring economy and trade back to impacted planets.”

The half Sephi paused for a moment before he continued, “I pledge to protect our citizens, their families and their principles. I pledge to return stronger than ever and empower the ISC to eliminate the stigmas of planets being considered backwater or lesser. I pledge to let them know that they too have a voice.”

He looked at the camera with a stern expression, passion in the frosty silver eyes, “And if any system wishes to join the ISC, I pledge to offer you a home and a coalition that is committed to putting its people first.”

Emryc paused before he delivered a line similar to what he had professed the very first time he had gone on Holo.

“I am Emryc Thorne. I am a man of action, I am a man of the people. And I pledge to serve you.”

 

[Theo Magna]

This was it.

Theo had made a massive change to his life, one he had not prepared himself for really if he was honest with himself, but he had done it all because of one man with a vision. Radio silence from said man had dampened his spirits but this was exactly what he needed. He didn't even realize that he had needed it until he got it but there it was, right on the holonet!

Proof that Emryc Thorne hadn't taken a step back for anything other than a chance to spring forward with purpose and poise. Proof that Theo had been right to change tracks and join the new branch of the Rangers, that there was a grander plan behind them aside from law and order alone.

Law and Order were laudable goals but he had been secretly yearning, pining, for more. That the Ranger initiative he had thrown himself bodily into was the sign of the ISC reaching out into the Galaxy and being the guiding hand that the Galaxy needed. And Emryc Thorne there, at the head of it all, as their guiding beacon.

As Emryc Thorne pledge himself to work tirelessly for the betterment of the Galaxy as a whole, Theo knew that pledging himself to the man and his dream was the right thing to do. That nothing would ever feel as right as his choice to become a Ranger in Emryc Thorne's ISC did right now, in this moment.

 

[Queen Parnelli]

Emilia leaned forward against her desk as she watched the holonet broadcast of Emryc making his pledge for the second time. The first time had been to simply absorb the information but the second had been to analyse it and the man himself. She would have preferred to try and decode his meaning in person but she was aware of the limitations of schedules for the both of them.

The desk she was sat at as she watched the broadcast back wasn't the one in her palace, after all, but rather the one on her ship. Checking out several of the facilities that could be used to provide MorataCorp with viable cloning technology promised to be a rather dull trip. But if she could encourage some of the medical sector to work together by shaking a few hands then it was the least she could do.

But back to her analysis of Emryc's announcement, of his pledges.

"Promises promises Emryc..." she mused aloud, leaning back in her seat, "Such sweet promises and so much conviction too."

There was little doubt in her mind that Emryc meant what he was saying about pledging the ISC to do more for the other Outer Rim planets and beyond. What that meant, practically, was another matter. She was a monarch and she was not above the idea that sometimes people needed to be lead rather directly, guided by taking their hand and physically leading them rather than giving them a direction and trusting they would reach the right area themselves.

But she was also elected.

Democratically, they would have to agree to accept their guiding hand but once they had? Once they had, Emilia was certain that Emryc would pull those struggling planets and sectors up by their bootstraps... and they would love him for it. It would, however, require a lot of work and material to make sure it could happen.

She pressed her com unit.

"Eans, please make a note to have the departments of labor and public works aware that we will have need of their stockpiles of materials soon. And for them to begin recruiting workers who are keen to operate on different planets." she smiled, "Thank you Eans."

If Emryc wanted to reach out and touch the lives of billions then Naboo would help provide him with the ways and means to do so.

 

[Caliban Drast]

Caliban had hoped the AMS virus would give the kick up the backside that the Republic worlds needed to get off their high horses and actually do something. But no, as usual nothing happened unless it hit their pockets. And so the past few months had resulted in nothing but obstructionism and inactivity. The core worlds hadn't been left untouched by the virus, but the rich and powerful had not really felt its impact in a way that bothered them. The Galactic Senate had passed motions to build up an army to counter the threat of the virus, and that had brought in more credits as production had scaled up across the Galaxy. While the poor suffered, the rich got richer.

His arms had been tied, and more often then not he had found himself in committee meetings like the one he was in right now. He had mostly phased out whatever the Senator from Chandrilla rambled on. It was the same speech he had heard a dozen times now, using some excuse or another to halt the wheels of progress from turning. They were happy with how things were, and they were not going to let anyone change that status quo. Sending aid, taking preventive measures against the virus, planning ahead, it all cost credits and they saw no need to do that.

He finally got pulled out of his waking slumber by a chime on his desk display, and the Senator from Chandrilla had to stop mid-speech when an aide for the committee chairman interjected and a holo projection was pulled up on everyone's desk. It was Thorne, back after his little vacation. Caliban sat up, even the man's return was an interesting development. But then he heard what he was saying, and things just got more interesting. Everyone in the chamber listened in silence, a silence that lingered for a few moments after the holo-projectors cut off after the transmission was complete.

"Heh," the Senator from Kuat spoke up to break the silence, "there he goes again with his big speeches and foolish promises. He sounds just like an idealistic fool from a holo-drama, whose pockets did he pick to pay for this little stunt?" Horatio chuckled, and a few of the other Senator's chimed in. But Caliban noted that a fair share didn't, specially the Senators from the smaller planets, the ones not as secure as the more wealthy planets. The ones who were actually facing the strain of the virus and were suffering the most from the Republic Senate's inactivity. To them Thorne's words would have stung the most, a painful reminder of the callous indifference of their own government.

Caliban made a mental note of names, the others might not notice, or care, but he worried. The ISC seemed to be growing with every passing day, and the inactivity of the Republic might just be the push many a world needed to switch their allegiances. "It might be time to speak with a few of our friends," he told his aide quietly as the session resumed, the little interruption brushed aside with almost disturbing indifference, "this might be the straw that break's the bantha's back."

@Sreeya

 

[Laeonas Tannaras]

The cockpit was pitch black apart from the various switches, buttons, and lights that came from the controls before him-- and the holoviewer that hung on the wall. Sitting at a 15 degree angle due to a bad installation, Laeonas had taken to tilting his head ever so slightly to get an accurate picture of what he was trying to look at.

Right now, however, what he looked at wasn't nearly as important as what he was listening to.

The man on the screen had called himself "Emryc Thorne." He looked taller than the boy; his dress shirt and pants looked ever so slightly elongated at a vertical angle. The silver eyes had been something Laeonas wasn't used to when he looked at people he considered "near human," but from a boy whose eyes shared a hue with aquamarines, the boy didn't really fit that bill either.

"Emryc Thorne" was a name that sounded almost... vulgar. The boy's first name on it's own possessed more syllables than the "corpo's" entire title. Still, his observations about the man's looks weren't nearly as important as what the man had to actually say.

He spoke of the impact of AMS on the people of the galaxy. He spoke of the Sith-- (to which the boy responded with his mandatory "bantha slime" at their mention) and how their attacks had devastated lives.

On his own world, the lords had never felt the need to speak to their subjects. Their position was not on the ground, speaking like men and women responsible for the lives of billions-- it was above, as sovereign rulers placed by their inherent superiority over the masses.

The boy was still no stranger to corporate leaders or political shareholders-- whichever came after whatever-- asking for support or boasting about the good they had done. The interstellar governments that ruled over swathes of the galaxy had to solicit approval from their constituents, and fool them into believing that they actually cared for their wellbeing.

The boy still couldn't believe that the man's intentions were genuinely altruistic. Yet the tone of his voice, and the words he spoke... "it almost sounds karkin' real."

Laeonas paused as the address ended, taking in the words and processing them slowly. The blank expression Laeonas' face hid behind it a mind that churned with information.

There were those in the galaxy who ruled-- often by circumstance of their birth, but sometimes because they'd convinced their prospective subjects into putting them there. Even through the continual wave of terrible events that plagued their lives, they might still choose-- for whatever reason-- to pick the same people who'd already been in power when the terrible events in question had started.

He wasn't entirely sure which of the categories "Emryc Thorne" leaned into the most, but judging by the advertisement, it sounded like the man cared enough to at least address the people of the galaxy. He'd addressed them frankly-- telling them his intentions, backing them up with tangible action, and delivered it with genuine passion and a particularly deep baritone that drew the attention of ears.

There were notes to be taken-- and the boy wouldn't let slip the words "Emryc Thorne" had said from his mind. Not for awhile, at least.​

 

[Vrashinal Karzinkaal]

Vrash was in a bar on Christophsis, sitting in one of the V.I.P booths. He had stacks of papers in front of him as well as several datapads as he poured over the various trade routes of the ISC, Republic, F.W.A and anything else that needed an acronym. He then levied possible attack routes into Sith space or any other would-be rivals. He had several empty bottles and even emptier glasses with several dancers moving about for him.

He had been on vacation since Denon. Thorne had taken a leave and though he insisted on staying close, he was ordered to relax. So.. he did. He was retired anyways, so he would just do what he did. When the announcement would come on, one of the dancers would straddle the old lizard, only for him to shove her off. "So the boy yet walks amongst the living. Sorry ladies, guess I'm back to work." he'd gather up his things and head for the door. He had some big plans, and bigger questions. So, he would be heard and he would bring some change.

 

[Darth Stolas]

Stolas was eyes deep in a pile of digital paperwork. Different steps needed to taken for a number of different things, some personal and others more 'business' oriented, but all of them needed to be done properly. His position on the council was one of privilege but responsibility as well.

But he would always take a little break when Emryc came up on the holonet. There on his ship golden eyes brightened at the notification, taking in the sight of the man he loved in a button-up. His hair was short and neatly styled like it used to be. Slender fingers ran through his own shortened hair, an affectionate smile breaking through his serious working expression.

It was an announcement of the ISC President's return done in a down to earth, on the move fashion. Morgan watched it attentively, face lit up with pride. Emryc had gone from driving people around and working DJ booths at parties to where he was now through sheer hard work, determination, and the same passion that shined behind silver eyes during the address. After being gone for nearly a year it was wonderful to see him on screen again.

Emryc made many pledges, good ones, and Morgan knew they would call out to those planets in the Free Worlds and Repubic, and the Outer Rim nearby, that had been relegated to minor roles or left to flounder while their senate debated back and forth. There was no unity there, only debate. It both frustrated Stolas and brought a dark grin to his fine features. The expanded training for their own Rangers and a united military were also interesting news that Morgan expected the syndicates to pay close attention to.

He would as well, given his position, and saved the news report to study later.

"Collate MorataCorp files and information," he told his droid, currently sitting in a socket to serve as an interface. It beeped an affirmative just before Emryc finished his return strong with a few final words. They reminded Morgan of the first time he'd seen him on a holoscreen in his blue suit, and he couldn't help the smile that formed.

All of this also meant his boyfriend would be very busy with work and away much more often again. Morgan pouted mightily at the holoscreen and checked his calendar. They'd have to get their together time wherever they could, but in the meantime there were things he wanted to plan.

Morgan sent a message to ask about a holocall and asking his boyfriend to bring some mushrooms with him when he got back to their place.

@Sreeya

 

[Soygun York]

The home of Jorgan York sat directly on one of the many beautiful Kattadan beaches. It stood as a three story beach house with all the luxuries a real estate mogul would be expected to have. Jorgan's office was on the top floor, a corner room with a beautiful view of the beach and the setting sun behind the crashing waves each night. Jorgan wasn't alone the night that Emryc Thorne decided to send a holonet message to the masses. His son and Kattada's ISC representative, Governor Soygun York was there as well. They were busy working on shifting more of the family assets from Jorgan to Soygun to avert any legal complications when Thorne's image popped up on the holoscreen.

York turned it up and watched. He heard his father sigh a the conclusion of the speech, and Soygun looked over just in time to see the elder York shake his head. "What is it?" Soygun asked.

"What kind of man is this Thorne, Soygun? Men like you and me, we don't get duked. I get the feeling like this man will play you, son."

The younger York turned off the tube and nodded before he sat down in a chair across from his father. "I know this 'everyman' act of his is just that- an act. He's nothing like that in person. He's cold, silent. Calculating." He paused for a bit and then grinned at his father. "He'd cut your heart out if it gave him a leg up."

Jorgan leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. "Yes...you and this ISC President have a lot in common, I suppose."

Soygun laughed as he reached for an expensive bottle of whiskey on his father's desk and poured some into an empty glass in front of him. "I'll take that as a compliment, pops"

The father snorted out a "hmph" and said, "Yes. I suppose you would." Jorgan paused for a moment before looking at his son through concerned eyes. "Well, be careful with that one, Soygun. Men like that are dangerous men to hook your wagon to."

Soygun swirled the whiskey in his glass a bit as he watched the amber liquid crawl down the inside of the glass. "I don't disagree, father. But right now, the New Republic and the FWA are sitting on their hands. If I want my political wagon to move at all, he's the only figure that can help pull it." The younger York didn't sip the whiskey. Instead, he drank the whole lot of it in one go. "But, if I have him pegged, he'll be happy to have men like me around." He put the empty glass on the desk before he stood. "To get where I want to go, I just have to keep him happy."

 

[Uul Rha Shan]

Sitting in a cantina on Coruscant Shan was sitting there quietly drinking some whiskey when Emryc's broadcast began. The building almost immediately went silent when it started. The reptile quietly tapping the talons of his right hand on the table as he listened. Hissing in thought after downing what remained of his drink.

He had been wondering around looking for something to do with his life now. It seems though as he listened that the raptor had a thought, hinted by his talons tapping a bit more loudly.

When the broadcast ended Shan stood up, "Seems I have something to do after all." He said to himself as he headed to the door. Hissing quietly with content as people got out of his way.

@Sreeya

 

[Hypaxian]

THE WAMPA howled in agony as its augmented opponent raked a fistful of claws across its face, the cheer of the crowd of onlookers rising to a crescendo as the fight entered into its final stages. Far above, in the owner's box, Hypaxian looked on with a sadistic grin on his face, for his beast was the one worthy of such praise. The glory of this fight, and the revenue it was generating him, reflected on his own august magnificence, or so he told himself, as finally, with a sickening crunch, his Wampa put an end to the contest.

"And that's the game folks, looks like a solid running for..." the announcer declared, as Hypaxian turned off the speaker in his box, and moved his hover-chair over to the back of the room, specifically, to the buffet, to celebrate his success. He let out a belch and flicked on the holo-screen to catch the broadcast from the ISC on the Holonet, listening in as he slurped down various meat-based snacks.

"I pledge to let them know that they too have a voice.”

"Damn good of you." he chortled.

"I pledge to offer you a home and a coalition that is committed to putting its people first.”

"Muppet! The buggers will come swarming in now!" he exclaimed,

"And I pledge to serve you.”

"Well get a bloody move on then! You should be over here," he picked up a fine specimen of a Nala Tree Frog and gobbled it down "...serving me these delectable Frogs!"

He turned the holo off, and picked up his comlink, through to his long-suffering butler, Frooj. "Frooj, uba baniouahe boa see neonu, pim nallya mee Autocrator!" he shouted, as Frooj took above the usual 3 seconds to pick up.

"Yes....ster?" Frooj spoke over the broken connection.

"Gee wa cisnadoka see heee Mon banba bai da Emryc pohii che bo tam yauma joday, an woy fa pomkeua!" he commanded, snapping down the comlink.

It felt good, to do good.

 

[Kayden Skyler]

Spoiler: Music IC

Time. TIme was what you made of it, how you spent it, how you bought it. It was finite; you could fill a glass with it to watch sand fall through a hole as tight as the space between a woman's legs and watch that sand run out. Though, you could just turn the glass on the other end, back and forth, back and forth, and suddenly time was infinite.

“Time…” Kayden sighed as he stood in the cargo hold of his Silence. The ship was often just so, silent, with only the steady hum of the engines and the occasional scream. Its captain liked it quiet except for right now. Now was a time for noise.

Music blasted throughout all parts of the ship, drifting down from the speakers; a brutal guitar accompanied by a sinister violin. The strings reverberated across the hull like the very strings in the fabric of the universe that made the particles dance. Was Kayden a particle? Sometimes he wondered. He definitely had a point. “...To dance!”

He was naked, the cold air of the hold tickling his skin as he swayed with the violin and stepped with the guitar. The point of a blade spread lips apart. The other man seemed nervous. A quick tug of Kayden’s wrist and the tongue was removed, tossed into a bucket to join the others. Annnd that makes three.

The other man was kind of yelping now but his new crewmates knew to keep him quiet. Their captain had lost three of his men in a raid. He needed replacements and these young men would do. They didn’t need tongues, though. They needed Silence and their captain needed silence.

“Clean yourselves up and take those down.” Kayden pointed to the two bodies dangling from the ceiling. They were red and starting to ripe. It wasn’t his finest work, all things considered; still some patches of skin here and there. “Before you make me rue the day I flayed your parents.”

As his latest guests skipped away to leave their master alone, he decided to turn on the HV and went straight to the news. Now there’s a familiar face. He had never met the man in person but from what he heard Emryc Thorne was a man of action.

“How about that?” That’s exactly what Emryc ended his speech!

So, ISC was going to take greater action which would inevitably send them clashing with other forces and factions. Expansion had its costs. First it led to chaos and then an attempt to control it. Emryc didn’t seem worried. He was a man of the people and he pledged to serve them.

Kayden thought about that as he wiped his hands on a towel and draped the bloody rag over a bare shoulder. When it came to being for the people and serving them, were the Sith any different? Is this towel?