Altair hated doing these. However, even with the title of just Warmaster, somehow he was running the Empire because no one else was. His old Director was captured and likely dead, and he was virtually alone at the helm. Fortunately there were a few rising stars that he would hopefully be able to rely on more for leadership support.
Between this and the sudden news that he was going to be a father with a woman he had no desire to keep a relationship with, Altair was hit with all new forms of stress. There was also the fact that he was struck by Celeste's death. Even if they parted on a bad note, he had countless memories of their friendship. Even so, he appeared on Holonet prim and proper, dressed in formal Imperial uniform. His vivid, amethyst eyes gazed into the camera.
“Citizens of the galaxy, I am Altair Din, Warmaster of the New Empire. Recently there has been a trend of worlds no longer being Imperial,” He said, his tone still carrying the hints of his farmer accent, “Let me assure you that this is not the result of an aggressive campaign with the ISC,” He knew the cost of rumors, “This is because historically many of our worlds were taken by force. The Empire is no longer Sith Empire, so those that do not wish to stay under the Imperial banner have the freedom to reclaim their neutrality.”
This was a half truth. The reality was that the Empire simply didn’t have the resources to hold planets that weren’t completely on board with being Imperial. They were forced to consolidate and focus on historically Imperial planets that had no desire to leave. The war sanctions had horribly hamstrung the Empire, and they were feeling the impacts. But Altair wasn’t going to talk about that here.
“Rest assured that those that do stay will be provided a standard of living far beyond what they experienced under the prior regime. We are invested in our people and their safety above all. I am personally committed to forging new alliances and shaping a government that isn’t tied to the whims of a Dark Sider.”
Altair paused before he spoke again, “There have been whispers about the fact that I myself am a former Sith. I’m not going to dance around that fact. I was a Sith, but I was not born into it. I did fight under the Sith banner, but I have never committed a war crime. I took this role with the backing of my fellow soldiers that have placed their faith in me. I will not beg or plead for your support, but I will tell you what I am and what I was. The difference is that you have the freedom to choose whether to support me or not. You will not be forced into it. And if you do choose me, I will put you first. Even if the Empire crumbles to the very last Imperial planet, I will stand by it.”
The tiefling smiled at the camera before it switched off.