Alderaan, Empire enter Defense Pact
The Alderaanian bourgeoisie have been stunned tonight at an announcement by the Royal Family of a Defense Pact with the Galactic Empire, marking the first alliance Alderaan has seen in hundreds of years. Earlier this evening, King Richart Venst and Lord Emperor Rocik communed via holocomms--the first known instance of any communication between the two. Each shared with the other how best the two governments can work together to promote security throughout their sectors. To that end, a formal agreement was struck, granting the Empire a series of military bases spread out across the planet in exchange for access to the Emperor's armed forces and galaxy-spanning intelligence network. Speaking before members of the press, the King had this to say: "Constituents of Alderaan. I cannot ignore the ebbing dangers throughout the Galaxy any longer--the up tick in crime, assassination attempts, and mysterious disappearances. It is only a matter of time before these dangers reach our door. To protect our citizens from this growing threat, I announce to you today a formal Defense Pact with the Galactic Empire. The Lord Emperor has agreed to assist us in the protection of our beautiful world from all threats--both foreign and domestic. Citizens can sleep easy tonight knowing that our planet is safe from the many threats lurking in the Galaxy. The Emperor has assured me his forces will cooperate with ours to form a protective mesh around our planet, ensuring the safety of our people for years to come." Initial reaction is mixed--with some praising the King's cooperation in the face of Lord Rocik's conquests and others condemning the action as only enabling a dictator to gain ground. When reached for comment, Venst's academic advisor and tutor to Prince Alrish, Carst Glein, said, in a heated exchange, "The King makes a grave error if he thinks that he's gained safety without a cost--one that he may not realize until it is too late."
Emperor Rebukes Jedi; Reminds Galaxy of Jedi History
The Imperial Cog spins on the screen, before the screen fades into the interrogation room of Desolation Alley. Lying on the stark grey floor is a human male sporting a beard as well as fresh incisions from a laser weapon. Standing over his body is a tanned human male wearing a golden crown. "The Jedi speak of taking life back...of regaining some golden age long forgotten. I ask you, citizens of the Galaxy, when have you known such stability? When have you lived with such everlasting Order?" He shakes his head as he continues, "This level of peace has, previous to my guiding hand, been absent from this Galaxy. The Jedi tell you to reclaim your life, but you have prospered under my rule. The last time the Jedi held sway in this Galaxy, they marched into CorSec and brutality murdered everyone in the facility." He looks down at the still body at his feet. "Earlier today, Griggs, someone who I held in such a high regard, attempted to assassinate members of my Empire, including my Grand Moff. What he and the Jedi who ordered him to do it failed to consider is my Empire's constitution. How convenient it must be for the Jedi to criticize my bombing of Mandalore while simultaneously ordering a bombing on my people. Is it wrong or isn't it? This newest resurgence of the Jedi seem just as plagued as the last." The Emperor looks back up at the camera, his face rife with disgust and anger. "My life has spanned millennia. Legions have risen to test me. My ascendance was inevitable. A day, a year, a thousand--it mattered not. I hold the patience of stone and the will of the stars. Your striving is insignificant. Let your deaths be the same." A Human male raises a chrome saberstaff emitting crackling twinblades high, twirling it in a deft flourish and arcing one side of it downward, cutting the man's head clean off, all the while staring at the camera before it cuts out.
Smuggling Feat Level Adjustments
I have dropped Sticky Fingers to level 60, and Slippery to level 80.
New Feats for Disguise
* MASQUERADER doubles the number of disguise slots you have available. * ENDURING FACADE raises the damage cap needed before a disguise breaks and reduces the chance of damage breaking it. Teachers are now available for these feats. As usual, if you wish to substitute a feat to gain one of the newly implemented feats, let me know.
