A wise man once said that if there was one thing the News Networks of the Galaxy loved, it was a press conference.
Carrick happened to agree with that sentiment wholeheartedly because, in his own experience, it was entirely correct. Nothing riled up the press quite like a conference called where they were allowed to ask questions as news was breaking right in front of them. Due to the pandemic, of course, the press conference they were currently all logging onto was being held remotely. Far be it for the people of the ISC to see their leaders acting inappropriately when it came to handling the pandemic.
Stepping out in front of the flag of the ISC, Carrick ignored the way several of the monitors immediately started opening up with questions from various reporters for various news outlets. Moving to stand behind the podium that had been set up, Carrick smiled at the main camera for the broadcast and raised a hand to signal he wished to speak first. The technicians muted the monitors of the press for his opening remarks, the news that they were going to see breaking.
"Good morning, good afternoon and good evening to you all." he started with a smile, addressing the difference between different planets, let alone different timezones, "When you turned on the news today to hear of a new announcement from the ISC, I'm certain you were not expecting to see myself. As the Senator for Tinnel IV, you would be forgiven for thinking that I had no dealings with the ISC but this has recently changed. In the first of two announcements today, I wish to inform the Galaxy as a whole that Tinnel IV has made the decision to step away from the FWA and New Republic - and instead stride toward the future as a member state of the ISC."
The monitors were un-muted and immediately there was a buzz as several dozen reporters tried to speak over each other to get their questions asked first. Picking out a reporter from Coruscant, Carrick gestured and the reporter's monitor was the only one that was not muted. She seemed to appreciate this, preening in front of her screen ever so slightly.
"Senator Carrick, or Governor Carrick I suppose now, can you tell us why Tinnel IV has made this decision? Were you unhappy with where you were politically before now?"
A decent question and not one he could soft-ball so he didn't.
"Put simply? Yes, the people of Tinnel IV were unhappy with how the politics of the Galaxy seemed to be placing them. To the previous administrations we were a pool of resources to be abused; our people, our corporations, our institutions and our pride." he announced with a severe frown, "Neglected by the Republic, succeeding in spite of their lack of effort. Abused by the Empire, succeeding against their active attempts to hold us back. And, now, ignored by the previous administration. Seen as a 'safe bet' to stay within a Union and Alliance that does not benefit us purely because of our Galactic location - but now we stand with the ISC to become part of a movement that gives to it's members, rather than take from them."
He gestured for the next reporter.
"Governor Carrick, you have always been cagey on the subject of the ISC in the past, refusing to speak against them but equally refusing to back them publicly before now. What has changed in the mean time?"
Truthfully? They gave him an offer too good to pass up. But that answer wouldn't play well with the general public of the Galaxy so a version of the truth was required that didn't quite give the same vibes.
"A great deal has changed. Recently I was given a chance to speak privately with President Thorne and Governor Lucas Rinn about the ISC and the place Tinnel IV, and myself, could have within it. I must say that it was this human element, meeting with two brilliant men, that swayed me personally and allowed me to see the benefits to the people of Tinnel IV myself." he raised another hand to stall any further questions as he elaborated, "This brings me to the second announcement; I shall be replacing the honorable Lucas Rinn as Secretary of Defense for the ISC, effective a week from today."
Always good to give the impression that they were being told about something before it actually happened, even if he had already been given most of the powers of the position before this. Naturally, the second announcement put the Nexu amongst the pigeons and suddenly there were even more questions than before. He gestured to another reporter who was quick to get straight to the point of it.
"Why has Lucas Rinn stepped down from the position after pushing so hard for it, by all reports?"
Good question and one that Carrick did not know the full answer to but he knew to repeat what Rinn himself was likely going to be saying to the press the next time they cornered him.
"My understanding is that it is a mixture of personal and professional obligations that, he feels, would leave him with too little time to dedicate to this demanding position. This particular mixture appears to have arisen suddenly and, we all hope I'm sure, it should be resolved just as quickly." he replied with a small smile, "However, I am very happy to take up the position and will remain in said position for as long as my performance is deemed satisfactory. Next question?"
A reporter was selected at random.
"Secretary Carrick, do you foresee any problems arising from your nature as an Outed Force Sensitive now that you are part of the ISC leadership?"
Tricky question... and one Carrick wasn't going to give any oxygen since the reporter foolishly asked him a simple 'yes or no' question.
"Not at all." he replied bluntly with the same smile as before, immediately moving on, "Next question?"
If the reporter was caught off-guard by the suddenness of being called upon, he hid it well.
"How do you believe Tinnel IV will benefit, being so far from the majority of ISC space?"
Carrick slipped into the pattern that came with press conference questions and answers like fitting his hand in a glove.
"With hyperspace travel as advanced as it has become, I see physical distance as less of an issue than a lack of communication. As a new member of the ISC, Tinnel IV has experienced far more contact with the rest of the Galaxy than it ever did beforehand - almost as though the Galaxy has acknowledged we exist again now that our allies within the ISC have started to reach out with open hands, minds and hearts."
"What is the nature of your relationship with your head of security? The people need their gossip!"
"Beneficial and professional. Next question?"
"Will your ties to the Jedi Order help or hinder your efforts within the ISC?"
"I have no remaining ties to the Jedi Order - most of my instructors are dead and I left several years ago by this point. While our parting was amicable, I'm not on any life day card lists I can assure you and I have no part in their agenda and they, no part in mine. Next?"
"How do you plan to include so many sectors of differing wealth in your future defense plans in a way that is fair to all?"
"Without delving into specifics, I will be liaising with other Secretaries and Governors of the ISC on a personal level to discuss this very issue. I am confident that between us all we will be able to defend our peoples, their interests and their livelihoods without leaving any of them destitute. Speaking of which..." he made a show of checking the watch on his wrist, "I'm afraid this is all that I have time for today gentlebeings, as I am scheduled for one such meeting shortly. Thank you for your time, thank you for your patience and I assure you that, in time, I will showcase exactly why the peoples of the ISC can put their faith in me to see to their defense. Thank you again."
He waved and the monitors were un-muted for effect as questions were asked as he left the view of the cameras but went unanswered as he left to see to matters of state as Secretary of Defense for the ISC.