Vulpem Pilum Mutat, Non Mores (GNS)

Posted by: Mikel von Bianchi, Galactic Empire
Date: Year 15 Day 261
Posted from: Onboard the Super Star Destroyer Executor in the system Horuset (283, 314).

CORUSCANT (INB) — In response to the apparent publication of Orphaea Imperium's manifesto claiming a new civil war, the Throne released a statement to the press moments ago. "It saddens us to see a former Imperial of long-past repute stoop to such vainglorious efforts to see his name in the press," the official communique stated, "but the announcement comes as no surprise. While Orphaea Imperium undeniably once played a large role in reestablishing the New Order during the overthrow of Bonias, the same shortcomings that put an end to his failing Imperial career have now led him to this desperate attempt to regain relevance in today's galaxy."

"Despite his lengthy service as Grand Moff of the Coruscant Sector, Imperium's career was curtailed by the reports of every Emperor he served under stating that he was more concerned with his own popularity than actual results. These reports demonstrate that little was ever actually accomplished under his leadership as he spent his time courting women and gathering personal wealth. His career was marred by fraternizing with the enemy whenever it served his personal business interests, devoting most of his time to writing his own memoirs that inflated his claimed accomplishments, and ignoring his sworn Imperial duties or, at best, leave his subordinates to make up for his own dismal shortcomings."

The statement continued. "As the fourth Imperial Civil War drew to a close, it was realized by many that the self-styled military genius, Orphaea Imperium, had been seen as unsuitable to lead the Empire. Displaying an alarming devotion to developing his own mythos in combination with an inability to effectively manage personnel, Emperor Vodo Bonias was left with no other option than to end the war with the New Imperial Order and appoint its leader, Thomas Cherokee, as his successor, rather than Mr. Imperium. Aware of these shortcomings, he was allowed to continue his service with the hope that he would rise to even a fraction of his own fantasy, but as growing complaints from his own staff amassed, he was eventually encouraged to retire as Grand Moff and take on lesser duties. Unfortunately, the Empire was once again left disappointed as Mr. Imperium neglected his duties whilst simultaneously demanding more power and prestige befitting his perceived image as a war hero. It is no secret that Mr. Imperium had schemed to become Emperor, but a man who places his own wealth and status above the needs of his citizens is not worthy of such a title; an opinion shared by all of the Emperors throughout Mr. Imperium's Imperial career."

The Throne recognized that the ideals of the New Order need to be fought for and cannot be taken for granted, but dismissed the new resistance as a legitimate representative of these ideals. "Ignoring for the moment the fact that Orphaea's press release demonstrates that this splinter group is quite obviously nothing more than a vanity project, they also have a very fundamental problem: The hatred of a central figure is enough to bring people together, but never enough to hold them together. That is what made the New Imperial Order succeed, and why Imperium's movement will fail. [The NIO] consisted of those willing to sacrifice themselves for a common goal and the ideals of the New Order, whereas these rebels are united only in their disdain for a Throne they feel didn't give them what they were owed." It has been reported that upon being briefed on the Empire in Exile situation, the Emperor laughed for a short time before shaking his head, moving on swiftly to more pressing items occupying his limited time.

Alexis Callusi, dean of political science at the Imperial College of Social Studies on Coruscant, remarked, "It is telling that several of the people revealed to be involved in this movement are former Imperials whose careers became stranded for reasons varying from incompetence to extreme egocentrism and feelings of entitlement to outright treason. The Empire holds its officers to a high standard and it is not the first time that those who fail to meet these standards attempt to lash out at a system that found them lacking. Now they scratch out a meager existence searching for personal wealth and promises of meaningless titles, rather than strive to perfect themselves, and devote themselves to achieving a better galaxy."

The press release notes the accusations of economic losses and revenue reductions, highlighting that no evidence has been proffered by the rebels, and goes on to cite that the Empire's economy has endured steady growth, particularly for the Coruscant Oversector since Orphaea relinquished his administrative duties there. With what amounts to a press release more concerned with baseless accusations and fluffing Orphaea Imperium's next autobiography, Imperial Intelligence has classified the new rebel movement as a minor threat, citing that "...[the splinter group] is little more than a vanity project to cure Imperium's current boredom by gathering a group of failed officers together and launching wild stories across the news. Diversion of Imperial Intelligence resources to infiltrate the group is determined to be unnecessary."