Ascension of Emperor Cherokee

IMPERIAL PALACE, CORUSCANT (INS) – A crowd of millions, representatives of every major news bureau, and key members of the Imperial Union gathered in the plaza below the Emperor's Balcony of the Imperial Palace yesterday afternoon. The Balcony has traditionally been the location of ground-shaking announcements affecting not only the Empire, but often the galaxy at large. The most recent proclamation was no different, as Thomas Cherokee appeared before the throng to announce his ascension to the Imperial Throne after Vodo Bonias abdicated. Bonias' departure from the throne was anticipated, but recent political actions required an accelerated schedule for the change in leadership.

The reign of Vodo Bonias saw many ups and downs and many changes in the galaxy. During Bonias' incumbency, he witnessed the schism between the New Imperial Order and the Galactic Empire and oversaw the reunification of those two bodies. Through negotiations with King Jesse James of Hapes, and later Mand`alor Tyr DeMeer of the Mandalore and Viceroy Jacob Jensen of the Trade Federation, Bonias formed the Imperial Union, the first pan-galactic international alliance. Since its formation, the Union has become the most successful mutual-defense and economic accord in galactic history. Internally, Bonias' reign saw major reforms occur within Imperial Intelligence and the Imperial Navy, including a massive expansion of that military arm. Though Bonias occasionally appointed unpopular individuals to leadership positions or appointed those who abused their powers, the former Emperor always rectified these errors in his constant effort to improve and empower the Empire.

Imperial citizens everywhere agree that Executor Cherokee was the most obvious and optimum choice to replace Bonias on the Imperial Throne as the most effective administrator the Empire has had in many years. Before the Unification, Thomas Cherokee was Executor of the New Imperial Order, and through his leadership, that band of fugitives became an efficient, effective, and respected government that transformed the Bothan Sector from a backwater into a galactic center of commerce and culture. As Executor of the Galactic Empire, Cherokee instituted a renewed focus on Sector Government and increased the autonomy of the Imperial Moffs. Cherokee also established the Ministry of Industry, which has worked to maintain the Empire's technological and infrastructural superiority and accelerate production on all fronts.

Emperor Cherokee's first decree was to institute a month-long Empire-wide celebration in honor of Vodo Bonias and his work. Speaking before the Imperial populace, Cherokee hailed Bonias as a man “who, regardless of public sentiment, stood by his convictions to advance the cause of Imperialism and improve life for Imperials everywhere.” Cherokee continued, “Vodo Bonias' progressive attitude has allowed the Galactic Empire to flourish over the past months and years, and we are eternally grateful for the service he has rendered for the benefit of all.”

The new Emperor's next decree was far less joyful, however. In it, Orphaea Imperium, the former Grand Moff and member of the Imperial inner circle, who recently seized a number of Imperial holdings in an attempt to force Bonias off the throne, was punished for his actions. Imperium was demoted to Moff and removed from the inner circle. “Though he may have had the concerns of the Empire in mind, and in his way sought to improve it, Moff Imperium's actions nonetheless endangered not only the Imperial government and threatened to waste months of diplomatic work spent melding Imperial High Command into a single cohesive group, but he put billions of innocent Imperial citizens at risk as well,” announced Emperor Cherokee.

Reports are that the only reason that Moff Imperium was not executed was Emperor Cherokee's recognition of the good service that the Moff had given to the Empire, and that an execution would mar what is supposed to be a joyous occasion. “Orphaea Imperium may have acted with good intent, but the reality of the situation is that this was a dangerously wanton act of a man entrusted with overseeing the welfare of the entire Empire and it nearly led to catastrophe. The road to disaster is usually paved with good intentions,” stated the Emperor.

When asked about the future of the Galactic Empire and the Imperial Union, Emperor Cherokee replied, “The Galactic Empire rededicates itself to the Imperial Union and reaffirms its intent to remain the solid core upon which the Union is formed. Furthermore, the Galactic Empire is emerging from a time of relative isolation during which its focus remained inward and cloistered with its allies in the Imperial Union. It will begin once again to look outward not only by increasing the presence of the Imperial Union on the galactic stage, but also in extending diplomatic contact to numerous governments and corporations that once were numbered among the allies and friends of the Empire but were spurned or alienated by the policies and actions of the previous Imperial regime.” The Emperor concluded, “We are entering a new era of profound success for the Empire and its allies, but also of equal distress to those who oppose us.”