BROADCASTED OUT ONLY TO ISC SPACE
He would be lying if he said he wasn’t waiting for an opportunity like this. The half Sephi watched everything taking place on Kashyyyk and he knew everything was being livestreamed across all media. It was all working out much better than anything he could have ever orchestrated. Within moments, he was behind a podium with ISC flags behind him on media that would broadcast to planets throughout all of ISC space. He would address his citizens directly.
“People of the Independent Systems Consortium,” He began with his booming baritone voice. His silver gaze drilled into the camera, and he always cut an imposing figure both on and off the screen, “It pains me to do this, but at this point it would be gross negligence on my behalf to let disrespect go unchecked,” His eyes narrowed as he kept speaking, “Citizens of the ISC, we are despised. We are hated. We are disrespected at every turn by the Free World Alliance. From their Senators openly mocking our war with the Syndicates to suggesting that our humanitarian efforts put themselves into the line of fire of combat, it’s clear they perpetuate utter hatred for our government and our very existence.”
“The Free Worlds have attempted to bully, push and coerce the ISC into a war we had no business partaking in. The Sith have never touched our worlds, never threatened aggression and yet even then the ISC voted to sanction them in solidarity with the Free Worlds and the Republic. The Free Worlds in return did not assist us in the fight against the Syndicates, did not rush to our aid like we have for them countless times. They have been to us nothing but a leech, threatening to sully the ISC’s image if ISC did not actively get involved in the war against the Sith. They openly brought up exploiting the ISC’s economy and 'fiscal powerbase' to help themselves and expand our hard work into their borders without offering a single thing in return.”
“No more,” Emryc stated flatly, “No more. The ISC has long since tolerated the blatant disrespect from this disgraceful body of government. People of the ISC, you were forgotten and ignored by these very people before the ISC existed. It was my hope that our continued support and offers of partnerships would change them, but alas it has failed. I have failed. They choose instead to ally with an Order that would knowingly drive towards the deaths of innocent civilians, an Order that habitually invites Sith war upon the Alliance’s doorsteps, a war ISCRA has always shown up to clean up. It'll only be a matter of time before they push the same on account of their war with the Mandalorians.”
The half Sephi paused for a moment before he continued, “Henceforth, ISCRA will no longer operate within Alliance space. As an act of true neutrality, we will remove all sanctions against the Sith. We will not befriend or proactively aid the Sith, but we will also not take unprovoked, hostile actions against them. Where there was once a door to open talks of allying, that door is now permanently closed between the ISC and the Alliance. The Prime Minister may have the best of intentions, but it is abundantly clear she has no clear authority over her Senate or the ability to root out incompetence in her cabinet.”
“The ISC stands tall and it stands proud,” Emryc’s voice boomed, playing across all media within ISC space, “The people of the ISC will never again tolerate the disrespect, mockery and abandonment it endured for centuries before this government existed. Never again will we bow or be coerced to act upon decisions that are not in the best interests of our people and principles. Never again will the Alliance make us feel compelled to participate in wars they invite by their own foolish actions when they offer us nothing in return. People of the ISC, I stand with you. I stand for you. As I always have. I am Emryc Thorne, and I am a man of the people. A free people, a proud people, and a powerful people.”
The feed cut off and Emryc walked away from the podium, actively fighting the urge to smirk. He drew out a cigarra and lit it, closing his eyes as the smoke plumed from his nostrils.
All across the galaxy in ISC space, nationalism and solidarity shined, ISC flags waving everywhere and their colors emblazoned across all media. The people expressed their hatred for the Jedi and the Alliance, now seeing active footage from Kashyyyk where active rescue efforts were being rejected and from the past several Senate sessions that brought to light how the Alliance had treated the ISC disparagingly time and time again. The seeds were planted and the beginnings of fanatical loyalty and allegiance would bloom now more than ever before. Emryc took it all in, enjoying his long smoke. He felt a pang of guilt for Korre, a woman he greatly respected, but he put himself and his government first. He also knew full well that the broadcast would leak and find its way to many Alliance worlds. And he knew full well many individual Alliance planets would grow fed up with the Alliance and consider neutrality.