Report:Vadim's First Galactic Address

A harried-looking newscaster who probably hasn't showered in days leans over his desk and speaks into the camera. "IGNews has just received a copy of a broadcast that we feel should be made public. While we can't be entirely sure of its authenticity, we feel our viewers have the right to see this and decide for themselves."

First, there is nothing. A black screen dominates the viewer's field of vision. Slowly the darkness dissolves to reveal a figure standing in a cavernous room. One assumes it is a male from the stylish suit he wears, though his facial features are obscured behind a nickel-colored mask that leaves only his eyes visible. They are cold and their gaze impenetrable. Behind him is an immense starscape punctuated only by the occasional movement of an Imperial vessel. Roughly half a meter to his right is a red-robed form and half a meter to his left is a form of equal height, this one clad in a black robe. The camera pauses to take in these three figures for another painfully long moment before the masked man speaks in a voice generally reserved for the dispatching of tasks to the most loathed minions.

"Gentlebeings of this most curious little galaxy," the masked man begins, "I do apologize for the manner of this introduction. Were this a more civilized place I would perhaps have made myself known in a more fitting manner; as it is I must resort to something decidedly less exciting than a grand fete." He approaches the camera with noiseless steps. "I know you are all asking yourself who I am and I am not a man to trifle with the intelligence or the emotions of so many beings. My name is Aleister Vadim and I am your Galactic Emperor." He lets the full weight of those last words sink in with the sentients viewing this broadcast before he continues."

Yet more Imperial ships move past the massive window in the back, the stately ballet lending gravitas to the Emperor's speech. "Do not fear. I am not an Osbourne, a Valak, or even that charlatan Palpatine. I am not here to impose a petty human will upon worlds that are neither petty nor human. I will go so far as to say that I have no human ambitions at all -- there are those who may understand what I mean, and those who will scoff at this notion and write me off as simply another despot to ascend the throne. I wish to assure you that my intentions for this galaxy are benign. The Imperial military is but a manifestation of human desires and I will see to it that the self-serving beast is leashed."

A few moments pass and finally the figure sketches a bow to the cameras. "You will hear more from me in the coming weeks. I remain your humble servant." Then it fades to black.