>>5974518
You are Otto Heinrich, firstborn son of Albin Heinrich, third Emperor of his line, and Warmaster of the Eternal Empire. You consider your sixthborn son, Konstantin, and reason that he ought to be left to his course in the Astronomicon Academy. By their instruction, he should make a fine general, and as a prince, ought to receive some flexibility in choosing his campaigns.

His bloodlust concerns you, but he's sixth in line for the throne, soon to be further still. It is no threat to the future and may, if anything, help his career. Even so, you pull some strings to have him put through some of the civilian-heavier holo-sims. This should instill a deeper awareness of the damage he, like any general, is expected to inflict and the need, at times, to minimize it for the sake of the masses. Like Leopold, you'll also be tutoring him where you can find the time. The boy is, if nothing else, enthusiastic to learn from your own experiences.

You consider your seventhborn son, Konrad. The boy is twelve years old and hasn't changed in the slightest. He's no less quiet or well-behaved and has progressed quickly in his studies. You're no connoisseur of fine arts and are biased, but find his work with clay interesting enough. In the decades to come, he may become an exceptional sculptor in his own right. There is little to be done in his case, save be an active presence in his life, so you do.

You consider your firstborn daughter, Arnette. The girl is nine years old and, while bright, is quite opinionated. She's prone to making sweeping proclamations, condemning the lesser nobility as incompetent, and agitating for heightened absolutism. Apart from that, the princess has little fondness for comfort and cares deeply for the, in her own words, "unwashed" masses. This perhaps does warrant some guidance.

What should be done?

>Encourage her to adopt a more moderate stance. The minor houses are the backbone of the Empire, and it would not do to cause a scandal in her eventual betrothal.
>Allow her mother to handle the situation as she pleases. Jeanne also has a particular fondness for the subjects of the Empire and originates from a traitor house herself.
>Leave her be, for now. You had a number of bold opinions as a young boy and eventually grew out of most. Odds are, this is only a passing phase.

>>5974520
>>Allow her mother to handle the situation as she pleases. Jeanne also has a particular fondness for the subjects of the Empire and originates from a traitor house herself.

>>5974520
>Encourage her to adopt a more moderate stance. The minor houses are the backbone of the Empire, and it would not do to cause a scandal in her eventual betrothal.
At the very least she should learn the problems it can cause by openly saying these kinds of things.

Welcome back QM

>>5974520
>Encourage her to adopt a more moderate stance. The minor houses are the backbone of the Empire, and it would not do to cause a scandal in her eventual betrothal.
technically it's the minor houses and the masses that are the backbone, but shhh don't tell em.

Also welcome back.

>>5974520

>Encourage her to adopt a more moderate stance. The minor houses are the backbone of the Empire, and it would not do to cause a scandal in her eventual betrothal.

Perhaps a fatherly reminder that Heinrich itself was a minor house not too long ago?

Also welcome back QM!

>>5974520
>Encourage her to adopt a more moderate stance. The minor houses are the backbone of the Empire, and it would not do to cause a scandal in her eventual betrothal.
She calls for further absolutism yet dislikes the minor houses? They are the biggest supporters or further absolutism and have also produced numerous competent men for the Empire. What is she basing these ideas on?

>>5974573
A nine-year old’s understanding of galactic politics. You know, maybe ot would e fine to let this blow over.

>>5974518
Welcome back QM
>>5974520
>Encourage her to adopt a more moderate stance. The minor houses are the backbone of the Empire, and it would not do to cause a scandal in her eventual betrothal.
Annette you are supposed to keep those thoughts to yourselves even if we are all thinking it.

>>5974520
>Encourage her to adopt a more moderate stance. The minor houses are the backbone of the Empire, and it would not do to cause a scandal in her eventual betrothal.

>>5974588
Still, where's she getting these ideas from? Anyway, we shouldn't let this be when we can turn this into a father daughter bonding moment and life lesson.

>>5974528
>>5974532
>>5974538
>>5974541
>>5974573
>>5974597
>>5974625
You encourage Arnette to adopt a more moderate stance. After all, House Heinrich was once a minor house and the throne would be left vulnerable without its allies. She insists to you that the lesser houses betrayed their rightful rulers during the 2nd Civil War, and the continued existence of any former members of the Tripartite Entente is a shame on the legacy of old Earth. You bring up House De Croize and she claims that's different, as they "got rid of the traitors" and "mom used to be one."

This back-and-forth continues for some time. It becomes clear that Arnette is deeply set in her ideals, or as much as any child could be. As far as anyone can tell, she took the severity of House Rothsford's rebellion to heart, and has extended it to hold House Heinrich's peers in contempt. These views are hardly controversial among Heinrich space and she may well forget about them as her education continues, but the worry that she could take inter-house politics too seriously for someone her age remains. You persuade her to keep quiet about it in the meantime, for the sake of public appearances. Arnette begrudgingly agrees and that's that. You hope this won't develop into an issue later on...

Now that you've finished addressing the concerns of your family, time marches forward. You grow older but your work bears fruit. Under your diligent command, the Royal Guard has been refined, nay, reforged into an elite fighting force. They are ferocious, fanatical, and unflinching in their service of the throne, taken from only the most outstanding and dedicated soldiers of the Imperial Navy and Army. Their equipment and discipline are supreme, as is their coordination and conditioning. Across the forces within the Eternal Empire, only those of House Arthen can match them man-for-man.

There are no applicants to the position. Rather, Royal Guardsmen are handpicked from the ranks, and it is an incredible honour to be approached, which vanishingly few soldiers would deny. Notably, those of ambitious or disobedient psychology profiles are overlooked, even if they are otherwise excellent. Only those of life-long humility and unbreakable resolve to serve House Heinrich without hesitation are selected. Commoners are preferred for nominations, save those scions of the Martial Houses, who form a great portion of the frontline infantry and officer corp.

Under your touch, in a mere ten years, the Royal Guard has been rendered utterly unrecognizable! Their prestige as defenders of the throne remains in tatters due to their failure to safeguard Emperor Alphonse. If they are to be redeemed in the sight of the Empire, they must win victories for its sake. That is something your successor may have to concern himself with. You are getting old, so very old...

>>5974639
Your beloved wife, Jeanne, has worked tirelessly to improve the lot of the former serfs, recently freed from the ravages of the Reaver Clans. The Imperial Bureaucracy has gone to great lengths to get her the supplies she needs, as has House De Croize, where the funds can be spared. There are many hundreds of millions of illiterate, starved wretches scattered across a vast area of space, lost to depths of filth and squalour that are frankly unspeakable.

At this scale, the problem is less institutional than it is existential. It will take the Empire's united efforts or a lifetime of struggle to amend affairs. Still, Jeanne goes far for a mere decade and accomplishes much. Her single-minded focus on elevating nutritional standards, access to healthcare, and public education up to the imperial standard leaves millions of ex-serfs speechless with gratitude. Besides that, it serves as an excellent basis for propaganda and gives the masses the impression that improvements are coming at an unprecedented speed. Even if, in reality, most of the pirate territories are affected little.

This does improve House De Croize's prestige, partly wiping the slate of their former treachery. Between this, the Empress originating from their line, and the old holo-vision campaigns emphasizing the traitors of De Croize as distinct from the house, their reputation has been mostly restored! In a couple more generations, their shame may fall behind them. You are satisfied by this. In secret, you have a deep and abiding respect for the De Croize, as they almost managed to do what the entire Federation of Uvarth couldn't.

>>5974641
Your father, the former Emperor Albin, current Advisor of Xenology, and wheezing ancient at one-hundred and eleven years old, has made progress with the Osgus State. Throughout the entire history of their species, no non-Osgus have ever attended the Slurm ceremony, where the Osgus ruler-to-be is appointed and executes their predecessor. Until now. Your father is speechless as he tells you they invited him to watch a live recording of the event in an airtight bunker, mere tens of kilometers away!

He assures you that this is an incredible step forward for Human-Osgus relations! Fortunately, the newly determined Slurm is fond of Jumpcrawl and by extension, your father. This has afforded him some precious political capital, which could well be leveraged to bring your species even closer together. He cautions you that a misstep at this juncture could be catastrophic, but is eager to follow whichever path you decree.

What should Albin do?

>Push for a military alliance. Recognize the Osgus as peers to Mankind, and pledge to serve in each other's defensive wars. The squids are ruthless and could be a valuable asset.
>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
>Encourage the ISL. If both nations back the sports association in totality, it should be able to scale operations considerably. Over time, this is likely to greatly improve the opinions of both populations toward alien involvement.
>Broach the subject of immigration. This is unlikely to be popular with either species, but the squids could colonize human seas, just as humanity could the deserts of the squids. At the moment, there's a fair amount of territory going unused
>Suggest a technological exchange. It's known that the Osgus are notoriously paranoid, but their shields are flatly superior to the Empire's. Of course, if they accepted such a deal, they'd expect Mankind's turret schematics, in turn.
>Invite a delegation of Osgus to witness the imperial coronation. Likewise unprecedented, this would be an incredible gesture of respect, and would outrage most of those with anti-alien sentiments.

>>5974644
>Encourage the ISL. If both nations back the sports association in totality, it should be able to scale operations considerably. Over time, this is likely to greatly improve the opinions of both populations toward alien involvement.
>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
>Invite a delegation of Osgus to witness the imperial coronation. Likewise unprecedented, this would be an incredible gesture of respect, and would outrage most of those with anti-alien sentiments.
The first two are the natural next steps and the last one puts a nice bow on top.

One thing Im interested in is getting some Osgus as servants. See about how we could further our interests in Osgus society in the future, either as intelligence assets or as (subtle) proponents of submission to humanity. Humanity is still better after all

>>5974644
>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
of course if going well at first.
>Suggest a technological exchange. It's known that the Osgus are notoriously paranoid, but their shields are flatly superior to the Empire's. Of course, if they accepted such a deal, they'd expect Mankind's turret schematics, in turn.
If going even better:
>Invite a delegation of Osgus to witness the imperial coronation. Likewise unprecedented, this would be an incredible gesture of respect, and would outrage most of those with anti-alien sentiments.
step by step.

>>5974644
>Encourage the ISL. If both nations back the sports association in totality, it should be able to scale operations considerably. Over time, this is likely to greatly improve the opinions of both populations toward alien involvement.
Since the Slurm likes it but also
>Push for a military alliance. Recognize the Osgus as peers to Mankind, and pledge to serve in each other's defensive wars. The squids are ruthless and could be a valuable asset.
Not a full military alliance but a defensive one in case we get ganked by multiple powers and we definitely need one at this point considering how big we are now

>>5974644
>Encourage the ISL. If both nations back the sports association in totality, it should be able to scale operations considerably. Over time, this is likely to greatly improve the opinions of both populations toward alien involvement.
>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
>Invite a delegation of Osgus to witness the imperial coronation. Likewise unprecedented, this would be an incredible gesture of respect, and would outrage most of those with anti-alien sentiments.

>>5974644
>Encourage the ISL. If both nations back the sports association in totality, it should be able to scale operations considerably. Over time, this is likely to greatly improve the opinions of both populations toward alien involvement.
>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
I'll leave the coronation out, for now. Slow baby steps.

And welcome back QM!

>>5974644
>>Encourage the ISL. If both nations back the sports association in totality, it should be able to scale operations considerably. Over time, this is likely to greatly improve the opinions of both populations toward alien involvement.
>>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
It's good to be back.

>>5974644
>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
>Suggest a technological exchange. It's known that the Osgus are notoriously paranoid, but their shields are flatly superior to the Empire's. Of course, if they accepted such a deal, they'd expect Mankind's turret schematics, in turn.
>Invite a delegation of Osgus to witness the imperial coronation. Likewise unprecedented, this would be an incredible gesture of respect, and would outrage most of those with anti-alien sentiments.

Happy this is back.

>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
>Suggest a technological exchange. It's known that the Osgus are notoriously paranoid, but their shields are flatly superior to the Empire's. Of course, if they accepted such a deal, they'd expect Mankind's turret schematics, in turn.
>Invite a delegation of Osgus to witness the imperial coronation. Likewise unprecedented, this would be an incredible gesture of respect, and would outrage most of those with anti-alien sentiments.

>>5974644
>Encourage the ISL. If both nations back the sports association in totality, it should be able to scale operations considerably. Over time, this is likely to greatly improve the opinions of both populations toward alien involvement.
>Further mingle the economies. The Osgus represent a vast, if regimented market for Human goods, and vice versa. Both species are already engaged in limited commerce, but there is room to expand.
>Invite a delegation of Osgus to witness the imperial coronation. Likewise unprecedented, this would be an incredible gesture of respect, and would outrage most of those with anti-alien sentiments.
Love this quest, welcome back QM.

>>5974649

Supporting this, but I think the announcement of the Osgus delegation must come from none other than Albin himself, and at the earliest possible time. We want to give the Empire the most time possible to come to grips with this.

Obvious anti- squid terrorists might also ramp up plans, but with the Royal Guard and Nightshayd in the mix, I’m optimistic that we could crush any terror plots/false flags

>>5974644
>>5974649
>>5974768
+1

>>5974649
>>5974653
>>5974661
>>5974670
>>5974683
>>5974702
>>5974724
>>5974759
>>5974765
>>5974768
You task your father with encouraging the Slurm to throw his weight behind the Interspecies Sports League as you, the Emperor, do likewise. The ISL was his own creation, so many decades ago, and he’s humbled by how far it has come. You also ask him to push toward the Osgus’ financial interests, to further develop and ingratiate your respective economies. In concert with the ISL, this should lead to a considerable boost in tax revenue, which the ISL’s added needs are likely to drain in turn. Such is the circle of bureaucracy. You and the former Emperor are in agreement that a delegation of Osgus should be invited to the next imperial coronation.

Well, the former Emperor is enthusiastic about the prospect. You’re more intrigued by their shielding technology and think this could be a fine avenue of approach. Your own sentiment to the squids is cautious, but the enigmatic aliens can hardly be any worse than the neo-federalist scum. Before your father’s attempts at diplomacy, the Osgus State had held steadfast to silent isolationism at best, aggressive expansionism at worst. Such an ancient precedent is unlikely to give-in so easily, and the Advisor of Xenology is concerned that asking for a technological exchange outright could lead to the goodwill your species have built over the years crashing down. He’s the expert, so you assent, for now.

Like his invitation to the Slurm ceremony, this is all-but guaranteed to be accepted. Neither of you are under any delusions of how well the presence of alien squids before the very throne of Mars will be received, but perhaps the backlash could be mitigated.

What should be done?
>Boldly announce the invitation of Osgus dignitaries. This will enrage anti-alien members of the Empire, what will likely be several years in advance. There’s a slight worry this would give potential traitors time to prepare, but it would also give the hardline traditionalists (noble and common) among the public time to cool down.
>Don’t make any spectacle of inviting the Osgus. As it ever has been, the focus will be solely on the newly-crowned Emperor, and the squids will be one more group of functionaries in the crowd. Let those who would deny Man’s right to rule the cosmos rage- they are friends to the throne and warrant the same quiet consideration.

>>5975010
>Don’t make any spectacle of inviting the Osgus. As it ever has been, the focus will be solely on the newly-crowned Emperor, and the squids will be one more group of functionaries in the crowd. Let those who would deny Man’s right to rule the cosmos rage- they are friends to the throne and warrant the same quiet consideration.
Who is going to stop us exactly?

>>5975010
>Boldly announce the invitation of Osgus dignitaries. This will enrage anti-alien members of the Empire, what will likely be several years in advance. There’s a slight worry this would give potential traitors time to prepare, but it would also give the hardline traditionalists (noble and common) among the public time to cool down

This is supposed to be great step forward in our relationship and a momentus occasion. We should not be timid about it.

>>5975010
>Boldly announce the invitation of Osgus dignitaries. This will enrage anti-alien members of the Empire, what will likely be several years in advance. There’s a slight worry this would give potential traitors time to prepare, but it would also give the hardline traditionalists (noble and common) among the public time to cool down.

Just a thought I had; we could phrase this as a selfish indulgence that House Heinrich should be excused for in light of our otherwise humble rule.

>>5975010
>Don’t make any spectacle of inviting the Osgus. As it ever has been, the focus will be solely on the newly-crowned Emperor, and the squids will be one more group of functionaries in the crowd. Let those who would deny Man’s right to rule the cosmos rage- they are friends to the throne and warrant the same quiet consideration.
Put them under the protection of the Royal Guard, it'll be a good milk run for them.

>>5975010

>Boldly announce the invitation of Osgus dignitaries. This will enrage anti-alien members of the Empire, what will likely be several years in advance. There’s a slight worry this would give potential traitors time to prepare, but it would also give the hardline traditionalists (noble and common) among the public time to cool down.

This is a great achievement - even aliens have come to pay homage to the crowning of a new Emperor!

I’m personally more interested in strengthening trade, but better to directly confront anti-squid sentiment now rather than risk a diplomatic incident when trade picks up.

>>5975010
>Boldly announce the invitation of Osgus dignitaries. This will enrage anti-alien members of the Empire, what will likely be several years in advance. There’s a slight worry this would give potential traitors time to prepare, but it would also give the hardline traditionalists (noble and common) among the public time to cool down.

>>5975010
>Don’t make any spectacle of inviting the Osgus. As it ever has been, the focus will be solely on the newly-crowned Emperor, and the squids will be one more group of functionaries in the crowd. Let those who would deny Man’s right to rule the cosmos rage- they are friends to the throne and warrant the same quiet consideration.
I'm surprised we didn't have to roll for anything.

>>5975174
sometimes we just choose the objectively good (or bad) options where there is realistically no chance of deviation

>>5975174
I believe that if we had gone for the tech, we would. The ones we've chosen are too agreeable to necessitate a roll to convince them.

>>5975010
>Don’t make any spectacle of inviting the Osgus. As it ever has been, the focus will be solely on the newly-crowned Emperor, and the squids will be one more group of functionaries in the crowd. Let those who would deny Man’s right to rule the cosmos rage- they are friends to the throne and warrant the same quiet consideration.
Remember guys we've been putting too much strain on our relations with the nobles.

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I'm very glad to be back, and running again anons. Feels good. I'll be updating in another hour or two, depending, as I'm at work and it's a bit busier than usual. I'd planned to make a post with an ETA of a week in the end of Thread #3 but there were an unexpected number of posts and it slid off the board. Next time, I won't wait around that long to archive. I made a post in the /qtg/ but not everyone follows it, I barely do myself, and I'm sorry for any of you who thought I might've flaked. The eclipse was something else, and I hope you all got to see it for yourselves. Here's an update on those puppies if any of you were wondering- the last one I'll be posting. They've all gone to good homes and by now, are around twice the size. Pic's around a month and a half out of date, hahaha.

>Don’t make any spectacle of inviting the Osgus. As it ever has been, the focus will be solely on the newly-crowned Emperor, and the squids will be one more group of functionaries in the crowd. Let those who would deny Man’s right to rule the cosmos rage- they are friends to the throne and warrant the same quiet consideration

>>5975010
>Don’t make any spectacle of inviting the Osgus. As it ever has been, the focus will be solely on the newly-crowned Emperor, and the squids will be one more group of functionaries in the crowd. Let those who would deny Man’s right to rule the cosmos rage- they are friends to the throne and warrant the same quiet consideration.
Could more subtly spread the information around but this doesn't warrant a big show imo.

Locking the vote, and writing now.

>>5975317
Good to see them growing up

>>5975017
>>5975080
>>5975092
>>5975099
>>5975141
>>5975144
>>5975174
>>5975193
>>5975323
>>5975351
You see no reason to draw undue attention to the Osgus, so you'll make no spectacle of them. If the Empire is to rule over alien species, they must be routine. The xenophobes are certain to be enraged by this, but the Osgus will be delighted. A fair trade.

You receive a proper report of House Nightshayd's progress against Clan Skullstacker. According to their records, they've kept the pirate operations from expanding or escaping, but are caught in a gridlock. The reaver cutthroats are excellent, their spies, cunning, and their sway among the black market, vast. Despite the Eternal Empire belonging to those of noble blood and bearing, Clan Skullstacker holds the homefield advantage in its seedy underbelly. Each faction has been neck-in-neck in a pitched and vicious power struggle.

To your awareness, Nightshayd has declared a proper war of assassins and Skullstacker has responded in kind. Their bloody game of cat-and-mouse has spanned throughout known space, from the innermost core to the farthest frontier. So far, there have been nearly three million casualties on both sides, with no signs of any shift toward a conclusion. Your assassins tried and shamefully failed to capture or kill one of their foremost crime lords after pinning down his location, but to their credit, also managed to prevent a nuclear bombing in House Nightshayd's palace. Rather than a suitcase, the pirates sewed a contraband explosive into a desperate volunteer and smuggled him in through the vents. Only a routine training exercise caught him, and the explosive was defused with mere minutes to spare.

Subsequent interrogations found they'd both blackmailed the man and held his loved ones hostage. Typical reaver tactics. House Nightshayd used to employ some of the same methods, but since House Heinrich's ascension to the throne have relied much more on blackmail. This is an interesting development. You tell them to keep you informed and await further commands.

>>5975473
The Privy Council did an excellent job in managing Crown Corp! House Heinrich's mercantile property, arguably a vassal, at this scale, has become an Empire-wide leader in alloys refining, made great strides in construction, industry, and habitation, and even contributed to House Soluton's orbitalworks! Under their deft management, Crown Corp more than doubled its funds and exploded in size! You're truly proud of their commercial accomplishments!

They've only fallen short in one respect...

Logistics.

By their word and witness testimony of their employees, the Imperial Bureaucracy stymied their efforts! Even more, it used underhanded tactics to subvert their work and force it under the Imperial Bureaucracy's control, to retain its monopoly! If you were a weaker-willed man, you would be stunned at the audacity. As it is, you are irate and demand an explanation.

A quick, subtle investigation is launched and pieces together a broad picture. Apart from supporting the local planetary governors, (who lack any real administrative power apart from keeping the local nobility in-line with imperial law) the Imperial Bureaucracy also manages the Empire proper. Most of the taxes, paperwork, and messages necessary to keep Mankind under one banner go through them, and this requires a massive amount of employees. Further, it requires interstellar coordination without noble oversight, which could be biased to favour any one house over the Empire.

As a consequence, an overwhelming majority of bureaucrats are commoners, and the officials among them lack any authority aside from transferring tax funds where they need to go and keeping records on the straight-and-narrow. Even so, hierarchy is inevitable and for the prevention of mob-rule, desirable. In this instance, there is no de-facto multi-system leadership outside of House Heinrich, but there are some paper-pushers whose word is given more weight.

Among the most respected of the bureaucrats is a commoner by the name of Pete, who exceeds even your father's age, at one-hundred and nineteen years old! He was one of the first major members of the Empire's Resources Committee, not as a combatant, but a clerk. His primary task was to audit disobedient merchants, which he did ruthlessly. Once the ERC began to reform into an... "eager"... ecological force, Pete resigned and found gainful employment in the imperial government. Rather than attempt to climb the ranks, he applied himself to reviewing paperwork and, where possible, streamlining the workload for those above him, with sharp efficiency.

>>5975475
This earned him a great deal of respect and through word of mouth over the years, enshrined him as a major figure in the Imperial Bureaucracy. Insomuch as there are any. Pete's nearly century-long career has been spent on paperwork in service of the throne, and he's refused to retire, move out of paperwork, or start a family. By every standard, he's a workaholic and up to this point, has shown no signs of ambition or incompetence. The dilemma is that prior to Pete's service under the Empire, he was employed in some capacity by the Merchant Holdings.

As the records were largely lost in the breaking of the Mega-Corps, and even more during the forcible rebranding, what exactly he did for them is unknown. It is known that he does have an immense anti-Corp bias and when Crown Corp began to move into logistics, he pulled a piano's worth of strings and called in a lifetime of favours. Every dirty trick in-and-out of the book was leveraged, with the Privy Council none the wiser. Each and every eventuality was accounted for, in a maze of overhead legalese and under the table thuggery to methodically break Crown Corp's hold on logistics, before it could even begin. With this man and by extension, the Imperial Bureaucracy, against them, the Privy Council's efforts never stood a chance.

As a consequence, Crown Corp lost a decent fortune in funds, which the Imperial Bureaucracy gained and promptly reinvested in sponsoring sharecroppers in a select handful of the newly-annexed frontier planets. The records are more than legible. There was no attempt to conceal the paper-trail, far from it, the actions of the Imperial Bureaucracy, legal and otherwise, are all openly accounted for in writing. You're no scholar but skimming the files, you readily grasp the scale of their treachery. Likewise, the audacity! In the time since, Pete and his co-conspirators have continued their work, as though nothing had happened.

Something must be done.

>Redirect a few of House Nightshayd's agents to conduct an investigation of the Imperial Bureaucracy. You will find everything, no matter how well hidden it may be.
>Task the Imperial Bureaucracy with auditing itself. Pete had a number of pro-Corp rivals, and outmanuevered and sidelined as they might be, they're likely to have some dirt.
>Order the Royal Guard to storm their offices and seize their documents. Duplicity this bold does not warrant a subtle response and their security are hardly willing to commit high treason for their sake.
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.

>>5975476
>Redirect a few of House Nightshayd's agents to conduct an investigation of the Imperial Bureaucracy. You will find everything, no matter how well hidden it may be.
>Task the Imperial Bureaucracy with auditing itself. Pete had a number of pro-Corp rivals, and outmanuevered and sidelined as they might be, they're likely to have some dirt.
More audits the better, see if they match up.

>Order the Royal Guard to storm their offices and seize their documents. Duplicity this bold does not warrant a subtle response and their security are hardly willing to commit high treason for their sake.
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
What the fuck was he thinking in going against the Corp owned by the Emperor himself in such a manner? If he thought they were doing something untoward then why did he not confer with his liege?

>>5975476
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
I would rather we see what he has to say for himself instead of having Nightshayd get more power or just crushing the Bureaucracy. An audit might be fine too, but I'd like to see what the man's angle first is since this doesn't look like it's for greed's sake at a glance. It's odd that he didn't try and hide anything from anyone, at least.

>>5975480
>If he thought they were doing something untoward then why did he not confer with his liege?
Likely didn't think we would even consider his stance since he's a commoner and the Crown Corp acts solely in the interests of increasing House Heinrich's funds. I wouldn't imagine he would think he even had a chance at having his case made against big business.

>>5975476
>Order the Royal Guard to storm their offices and seize their documents. Duplicity this bold does not warrant a subtle response and their security are hardly willing to commit high treason for their sake.
Neat way to break the new guard in. I don't want to redirect Nightshayd, they need every asset they can in their underground war.

>>5975476
>Order the Royal Guard to storm their offices and seize their documents. Duplicity this bold does not warrant a subtle response and their security are hardly willing to commit high treason for their sake.

>>5975483
>Likely didn't think we would even consider his stance since he's a commoner and the Crown Corp acts solely in the interests of increasing House Heinrich's funds. I wouldn't imagine he would think he even had a chance at having his case made against big business.
Then he thinks that the Emperor wouldn't care about any immoral acts on the part of Crown Corp. He thinks so little of his lord? That's no excuse.

>>5975484
How about using House Uvar and have Leopold and his formerly Nightshayd gran lead the audit? That way no burden falls on Nightshayd.

>>5975489
>Then he thinks that the Emperor wouldn't care about any immoral acts on the part of Crown Corp. He thinks so little of his lord? That's no excuse.
How exactly could the Emperor know then? And furthermore, if Crown Corp were actually doing anything immoral, if it makes a profit and doesn't cause any instability would anons (the Emperor) actually care? Nightshayd would support doing something immoral/underhanded for the sake of one's own success, and has even pushed for that sort of thing in the past I believe.

>>5975497
>And furthermore, if Crown Corp were actually doing anything immoral, if it makes a profit and doesn't cause any instability would anons (the Emperor) actually care?
Uh yeah? We've even acquired a reputation as a dynasty for how principled we are. Remember how we didn't even kill that republican veteran because of them?

>Nightshayd would support doing something immoral/underhanded for the sake of one's own success, and has even pushed for that sort of thing in the past I believe.
There are some morally gray things that we would do for the sake of power, like those taxes that started the Civil War, but nothing that would make me sympathetic to this behaviour by Pete.

>>5975476
>Order the Royal Guard to storm their offices and seize their documents. Duplicity this bold does not warrant a subtle response and their security are hardly willing to commit high treason for their sake.
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.

Yeah, no one in the bureaucracy should be able to do this, especially going over the head of the Emperor and making him and his house lose precious assets. He has however done quite a bit of good work for us so I wanna hear him out.

>>5975489
That's a neat idea. I would be willing to swap my vote to only that if you're willing to. I don't want to do every option like you were suggesting earlier.

>>5975497
>And furthermore, if Crown Corp were actually doing anything immoral, if it makes a profit and doesn't cause any instability would anons (the Emperor) actually care?
Hm, can't say I'd care about what happens to the plebs as long as cash flows into the Corp. It's just business, baby.

>>5975502
Why not? Why not do audits and have Pete plead his case to us?

>>5975504
Bait.

>>5975500
Try to have a little empathy for the commoner, anon. It's possible he just doesn't want the Corps to hold power again and do things like what happened while he worked for them, and seeing how Crown Corp was trying to get into the logistics of the Empire he might've seen it as another potential Mega Corp trying to control the lives of everyone once again.
Take into account that Pete probably doesn't have the same mindset people do under the Empire, being defined by his experiences under the Mega Corps of back then. And with no real way to make his case to the Emperor as a small bureaucrat, he likely just did what he could to prevent something like the Mega Corps from happening again.
I don't think he had malicious intentions, since he didn't even try to hide what he did. And he's likely not incompetent or greedy, considering that "Rather than attempt to climb the ranks, he applied himself to reviewing paperwork and, where possible, streamlining the workload for those above him, with sharp efficiency."

>>5975504
Good one.

>>5975515
>Try to have a little empathy for the commoner, anon.
I have the appropriate amount of empathy for the pleb.
>And with no real way to make his case to the Emperor as a small bureaucrat.
He isn't a small bureaucrat, his description explicitly makes him out to be one of the most exceptional bureaucrats we have.
>And he's likely not incompetent or greedy, considering that "Rather than attempt to climb the ranks, he applied himself to reviewing paperwork and, where possible, streamlining the workload for those above him, with sharp efficiency."
This we can agree on, my view is that we get him to plead his case then punish and tell him to not do such things again since I can't see any justifiable reason for his conduct when he could've sent things up the chain instead.

>>5975483

I support summoning Pete to hear his account.

Clearly the crime was driven by personal ideals, perhaps we can find out what that s triggering his autistic rage

>>5975476
>>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
I respect his massive balls, work-ethic, and rabid anti-corp sentiment. We haven't really lost anything either, as The Emperor, the Imperial Bureaucracy serves us and our purposes. In fact, given that we didn't really lose any resources, is it really treachery?

>>5975527
>I can't see any justifiable reason for his conduct when he could've sent things up the chain instead.
How exactly would he be able to make a serious accusation against a Corporation that is under the direct control of House Heinrich? An excellent commoner bureaucrat is still a commoner. His experience under the Mega Corps probably taught him that he shouldn't escalate things with the higher ups unless he wants to lose. He would be making an accusation against a company that acts in the direct interests of the ruling family.
As for why he's doing this, he likely doesn't want another Mega Corp to control everyone's lives.

>>5975476
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
A century long career worth of influence called in to satisfy a bias against Corp. How horrifyingly bureaucratic.

>>5975537
>How exactly would he be able to make a serious accusation against a Corporation that is under the direct control of House Heinrich?
By collecting evidence of wrongdoing then prosecuting what's under his purview and sending up the chain what isn't. Your logic applies better to what he did. How would a commoner unjustly persecute others commandeered by the Emperor by weaponizing the bureaucracy against them just because he personally didn't like them and get away with it?

>His experience under the Mega Corps probably taught him that he shouldn't escalate things with the higher ups unless he wants to lose.
Irrelevant, that experience doesn't justify it.

>He would be making an accusation against a company that acts in the direct interests of the ruling family.
Then do it! If he has any faith in the goodness of his liege then the Emperor would hear him out. To do anything else first would be to go against the Emperor

>As for why he's doing this, he likely doesn't want another Mega Corp to control everyone's lives.
Again, doesn't justify it. I don't care if he has an irrational hatred for Corpos as a concept.

>>5975508
I don't want to redirect the nightshayd for reasons I've already explained, I don't trust the Imperial Beauracracy to do a proper audit of itself, I'd rather an outside source like the one you provided (Uvar), and for the plead, I guess I'm just not really interested what he has to say. He seems really straight forward to me, I doubt anything he could say would sway our opinion, and I don't want to risk having to vote on a verdict before the results of the audit come in.

>>5975547
>By collecting evidence of wrongdoing then prosecuting what's under his purview and sending up the chain what isn't.
He might have a reasonable aversion to doing that, due to his experiences with the Corps. Somebody knowing how cutthroat the corporate world is probably wouldn't take any chances, especially against a corporation owned by the ruling dynasty.
>Irrelevant, that experience doesn't justify it.
He likely doesn't think in the same way that most people living under the Empire do, especially in regards to seeing businesses as subservient to the Emperor. He worked for the Mega Corps first before this and probably has his assumptions colored by how they acted.
>If he has any faith in the goodness of his liege then the Emperor would hear him out. To do anything else first would be to go against the Emperor
In the eyes of all the noble Houses, the Corps, and the people, House Heinrich is just another noble House (one that is uncharacteristically humble, at that) that just so happens to rule the Empire. We haven't done any Mandate of Heaven stuff, we haven't even formalized ourselves as the true dynasty. To ask for that sort of fanatic devotion from a bureaucrat commoner sounds unreasonable.

>>5975558
>I don't trust the Imperial Beauracracy to do a proper audit of itself
Neither do I, which is why I want a seperate audit to crossreference it to. To see the differences then investigate why they are different.

>I guess I'm just not really interested what he has to say. He seems really straight forward to me, I doubt anything he could say would sway our opinion, and I don't want to risk having to vote on a verdict before the results of the audit come in.
Im interested for curiosity's sake but yeah, don't see what he could say to sway me. QM can answer the latter point.

>>5975560
>He might have a reasonable aversion to doing that, due to his experiences with the Corps. Somebody knowing how cutthroat the corporate world is probably wouldn't take any chances, especially against a corporation owned by the ruling dynasty.
That doesn't really contradict what I said with how vague it is. If he thinks they are shady then he could go after them for those reasons instead of muh corpo bad.

>He likely doesn't think in the same way that most people living under the Empire do, especially in regards to seeing businesses as subservient to the Emperor. He worked for the Mega Corps first before this and probably has his assumptions colored by how they acted.
Irrelevant and also stupid. All evidence suggests that Heinrichs are in charge, not the corpos.

>In the eyes of all the noble Houses, the Corps, and the people, House Heinrich is just another noble House (one that is uncharacteristically humble, at that) that just so happens to rule the Empire. We haven't done any Mandate of Heaven stuff, we haven't even formalized ourselves as the true dynasty. To ask for that sort of fanatic devotion from a bureaucrat commoner sounds unreasonable.
That is not fanatical devotion at all. Only a belief that leadership is competent and acting in good faith.

>>5975566
>That doesn't really contradict what I said with how vague it is. If he thinks they are shady then he could go after them for those reasons instead of muh corpo bad.
To be fair, he lived a large part of his life under and likely experienced the worst of 'muh bad corpo'.
>All evidence suggests that Heinrichs are in charge, not the corpos.
And when a Corp that is trying to buy out (and probably monopolize) logistics in the Empire is directly linked to the ruling family it leaves little to the imagination about who is in charge. There are many such Corporate dynasties that only care about profit margins and little else. Fortunately for the Empire, House Heinrich isn't a Corporate dynasty.
>That is not fanatical devotion at all. Only a belief that leadership is competent and acting in good faith.
I'm willing to forgive a bit of cynicism, especially when he likely spent all the favors he's been owed in this endeavor. If this were done for truly malicious or avaricious reasons then I wouldn't hold much sympathy, but as it stands it's likely he just needs to realize that House Heinrich (and by extension most of the people at the top) aren't some caricature of greedy Corporate-Governmental tyranny.

>>5975476
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
Based autist, Cuban pete, king of the rhumba beat...

>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.

>>5975608
>To be fair, he lived a large part of his life under and likely experienced the worst of 'muh bad corpo'.
Then go after them for that shit instead of going "corpo bad! me smash!".

>And when a Corp that is trying to buy out (and probably monopolize) logistics
They can't monopolize it even if they wanted to. I think I had this discussion with you last thread too.

>I'm willing to forgive a bit of cynicism, especially when he likely spent all the favors he's been owed in this endeavor. If this were done for truly malicious or avaricious reasons then I wouldn't hold much sympathy, but as it stands it's likely he just needs to realize that House Heinrich (and by extension most of the people at the top) aren't some caricature of greedy Corporate-Governmental tyranny.
So what was the plan if he was so cynical then anyway? Risk his career against Crown Corp by persecuting them without reason and then what? What has been accomplished? Just as stupid as that journalist that set up a hit on himself and posthumously accused some politician of doing it, clearly thought he was doing something selflesss yet it made no sense and did no good whatsoever.

>>5975761
>Then go after them for that shit instead of going "corpo bad! me smash!".
Best to stop them while they don't have unstoppable power than wait until they do, I imagine is the reasoning.
>They can't monopolize it even if they wanted to.
It depends on if we use the full force of House Heinrich to monopolize it or not I suppose. Although I'd argue that monopolies/duopolies/oligopolies can be made if one is business savvy enough in a market system, but I digress.
>So what was the plan if he was so cynical then anyway? Risk his career against Crown Corp by persecuting them without reason and then what? What has been accomplished?
Well that's why I'm supporting asking him to come and make his case. We don't know what is in his mind. We can only make assumptions based on what his life was like, his actions, and who he is. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, especially since it doesn't appear like he cares about monetary gain, but we'll see how he advocates for himself.

>>5974641
>In secret, you have a deep and abiding respect for the De Croize, as they almost managed to do what the entire Federation of Uvarth couldn't.
Didnt De Croize never come close to winning the 2dn civil war?

>>5975786
We captured their entire fleet so I guess they did contribute more to us then the Federation did

>>5975476
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
I want to see more from this interesting character.

>>5975476
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
We lose literally nothing but like a hour max from just hearing the guy out first.

>>5975476
>direct House Uvar agents to conduct an investigation of the Imperial Bureaucracy. You will find everything, no matter how well hidden it may be.
>Task the Imperial Bureaucracy with auditing itself. Pete had a number of pro-Corp rivals, and outmanuevered and sidelined as they might be, they're likely to have some dirt.

To see if uvars audit matches. If not heads will roll.

>Order the Royal Guard to storm their offices and seize their documents. Duplicity this bold does not warrant a subtle response and their security are hardly willing to commit high treason for their sake.

Seize evidence before they can delete it. We want copies of everything.

>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.

If they had to go this far to sabotage logistics and couldn't do it cheaper than crown corp... I want to see why they couldn't. Because there's some inefficiency there for that to be the case. The Imperial bureaucracy is there to get the best stuff for the cheapest price for the sake of the Empire. If someone else can do the same thing for cheaper. Then it would save the Imperial bureaucracy money to sub contract it out. Which would allow them to put the saved funds into other projects. This seems like it was purely motivated by some animosity towards corporations. And not what was best for the empire's subjects.

>>5975476
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.
Let's hear him out first.

>>5975476
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.

>>5975476
>Call this Pete and his co-conspirators to the throne on Mars. You will hear an explanation from the man himself, then you will make your verdict known.

I'm with Pete, fuck the corpos

So when they say Earth is shattered, do they mean like it's literally been split in half or something?

>>5976453

I don’t know that we’ve gotten much more than “Earth was ruined”. Although I do think restoration of Earth would make for a nice prestige project for House Heinrich.

>>5976459
That would be lit push all the earth space rocks into it. Hit it with heat to re molten the core. Probably could steal mercury for mass depending how shattered it is. Then terraform the fuck out of it. Probably take 100-200 years. But it would be a lit project.

Apologies for the radio silence. I've been busy with something semi-significant IRL, and will be for today, too. I'll try to update tonight but can't make any guarantees.

>>5976584
All good QM, take care

>>5975480
>>5975483
>>5975484
>>5975485
>>5975489
>>5975501
>>5975502
>>5975531
>>5975534
>>5975539
>>5975653
>>5975715
>>5975801
>>5975869
>>5975913
>>5976024
>>5976026
>>5976060
You determine that a multifaceted approach is ideal. Under the command of your secondborn son, Leopold, and guidance of your mother, the newly-risem House Uvar will be tasked with running a fine-comb through the Imperial Bureaucracy. At the same time, the Royal Guard will be sent to storm strategically-significant offices, (the locations of which are, for the most part, unknown to the wider public) and seize potentially sensitive documents before they can be altered or erased. This Pete and his co-conspirators are summoned to the beating heart of the Eternal Empire, to explain themselves before the throne on Mars.

Two months pass as your orders are carried out, before a transport reaches Mars and the bureaucrats disembark in the royal hangar. You sit on your throne, watching calmly as a single-file procession of veteran clerks enter, flanked by Royal Guardsmen. They spread wide and after some shuffling, one ancient shuffles forward on a primitive walker. The man before you is no less than a dessicated fossil, with wet, sunken eyes and a frail, shriveled frame. You watch as he carefully pushes his walker aside and, with the support of a nearby Guardsman, gets onto his knees.

His voice is raspy, and audibly wheezes as he collects himself. Altogether, he gives you the impression of dried, cracked parchment.

"Your... m-majesty. I am Pete, humble sc-scribe under your Imperial... Bureaucracy. How... may I be of service?"

Your own static fills the chamber. "You knowingly interfered in the work of Crown Corp, the commercial property of House Heineich. Explain yourself."

>>5978298
The man pauses, breathing heavily. You aren't sure if he's collecting his thoughts or recovering from the effort of speaking.

"Almost one hundred solar years ago..." His tone shifts to bitter contempt. "I served as a functionary... under the Board of Shareholders- th-the Mega-Corps. My work was..." Pete gasps, holding one of his walker's legs to steady himself. "To coordinate sh-shipments. Your majesty... you are a wise ruler. Your father, his majesty, taught you well..."

"You know the truth of the... old Mega-Corps. The... the opulence. The... consumerism. You... don't know... the rot. I was young, then... talented, connected. I was put in ch-charge of a corporate subdivision... to build a new, little starport on Plutul. Our budget was one-hundred million credits, with an ETA of... four years."

The commoner coughs into his sleeve, a slight breach of protocol, but for one of such an advanced age, this can be overlooked at the moment.

"They put us eight-hundred million in debt... and in six years... barely laid down the foundation. Their plan was to... file for bankruptcy... dump the stocks... embezzle it all... I was a figurehead... I couldn't stop them... couldn't get any work done. Then your Empire- my Empire- came."

"They took control. Broke the subcorporations... Evaporated mine. A Soluton got on top of the project... finished it in seven months and four days." At this, he gets a strange sense of awe in his voice. "That was... efficient... no-nonsense, no meetings... only real, physical work! It was beautiful... and I wanted to be a part of it. I was... and am, proud to serve... to be part of something real."

"These corporations... they're all the same, your majesty. They may have... different brands... but the greed underneath is the same. It would be... generations... before the decline set in on the roads, but... I couldn't let that happen... It would be a rock in the Empire's boot... maybe even a nail, and... and... the Empire needs to march strong! On imperial roads!"

Pete shuffles, slowly rising on his walker. "It wasn't my... my place to interfere... but I felt I must... I owed it to the Empire... Please, your majesty... forgive my shameful methods... I'm no noble, no veteran, no... merchant... all I had... all I have... is the holo-pen..."

You consider his words. "I've heard enough. You may depart my presence. Guards, escort them to their rooms." Hardly furnished enough to suit noble dignitaries, but a far cry indeed from the dungeons of House Vonduul. If anything, confinement on Mars is better than the artificial hab-blocks they're used to.

>>5978300
In some weeks, House Uvar and the Royal Guard return with data. According to them, Pete's records were honest, with one exception of ambiguous wording. Instead of putting funds toward Ustong pioneering experts employed under Zephyr Corp, as implied, the Imperial Bureaucracy hired the Ustong to help the sharecroppers directly, sidestepping the merchants. That comes as no surprise, given his anti-Corp bias. Your informants do note that this was done over the table through your sister, Aurelia, rather than the fallen house's underbelly. Possibly an oversight from an aged mind rather than any foul play, but your mother taught you to be aware at all times.

What is your verdict? This will also apply to the rest of his co-conspirators.

>By willfully acting against Crown Corp and using extorted credits to fund a former Tripartite House, Pete has committed high treason against the throne. He'll be given a swift public execution, as is appropriate.
>The old man dared to defy the Privy Council at an unimaginable scale, even as they were working on the Emperor's behalf. He'll be castrated and sent to Cradus XVII accordingly.
>Regardless of his intentions, the paper-pusher cost Crown Corp tens, if not hundreds of billions of credits, and is far too poor to properly fine. He'll be placed under house arrest and disbarred from the Imperial Bureaucracy.
>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.

Due to a combination of Leopold's expertise and the Royal Guard's haste, some thoroughly interesting, if unrelated data was uncovered. While the Imperial Bureaucracy is a relatively new organization and has very little corruption for its size, there are some inevitable handfuls of scribes and taxmen who think themselves too clever for imperial law. This is a valuable opportunity to set a precedent.

How should governmental corruption be punished?

>Extremely. Those who would exploit the Empire, and by extension, all of Mankind, deserve no future and will receive none on Cradus XVII.
>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.
>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.
>LenientIy. Anyone taking bribes or skimming from the top will be immediately disbarred, and forced to pay an equivalent fine or go into debt.

>>5978301

>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.

We need to use Pete to turn the IB to our advantage here. Maybe he can spend the last part of his life undoing some of the damage here, and as a gift, he can advise us on Crown Corp structure to ensure that CC does not become a hindrance to the Empire?

>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.

We want to disincentivize this behavior but not so much that whistleblowers refuse to step forward or go into hiding.

>>5978301
>Regardless of his intentions, the paper-pusher cost Crown Corp tens, if not hundreds of billions of credits, and is far too poor to properly fine. He'll be placed under house arrest and disbarred from the Imperial Bureaucracy.
I sympathize with his intentions but this kind of behavior can't be allowed. If we let him off the hook, it gives license to others to do similar "in the name of the Empire". He needs some kind of punishment.

>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.
Corruption is absolutely unacceptable and will bring this Empire to its knees if allowed to fester, it requires as harsh a punishment as is feasible. I don't particularly mind Cradus XVII if people think it's more appropriate.

>>5978301
>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.
He's loyal, he had a good motive and he's got what, 5 years to live? Ten? He can be forgiven. Besides, both the bureaucracy and crown corp are ours so it ultimately was not a problem.

>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.
Proportional punishment works best for something like this.

>>5978301
>Regardless of his intentions, the paper-pusher cost Crown Corp tens, if not hundreds of billions of credits, and is far too poor to properly fine. He'll be placed under house arrest and disbarred from the Imperial Bureaucracy.
Enjoy your retirement ancient one.

>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.
I hate corruption.

>>5978301
>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.
fair enough old man, but know that we are watching.
>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.
Corruption is sadly sometimes part of humanity, but it should never grow to a level where it causes actual harm.

>>5978301
>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.
I can sympathize with him and his fellows. Regardless they don't deserve to be executed or tortured.
>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.
Whipping and hard labour might be more than enough to discourage people of corruption lmao.

>>5978301
>>5978313
Supporting.

>>5978301
>Regardless of his intentions, the paper-pusher cost Crown Corp tens, if not hundreds of billions of credits, and is far too poor to properly fine. He'll be placed under house arrest and disbarred from the Imperial Bureaucracy.
He has to be punished but not severely, put him in a training role for new pencil pushers as his retirement
>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.
>LenientIy. Anyone taking bribes or skimming from the top will be immediately disbarred, and forced to pay an equivalent fine or go into debt.
Depending on the crime

>>5978356
+1
I say from medium to extreme depending on the severity of the grift/corruption would probably be the best way to go about things

>>5978300
>These corporations... they're all the same, your majesty. They may have... different brands... but the greed underneath is the same. It would be... generations... before the decline set in on the roads, but... I couldn't let that happen
this is a warning we maybe should take seriously. everyone on CC is loyal and not corrupt now, but there's no telling what will happen in a few generations. maybe we should create a figure of CC overseer or similar and tie it to a member of our close family by blood. to act as overseer of the CC and also nexus between it and ourself. maybe it could also oversee/interact with the Bureaucracy in our place

>>5978452
Yeah I'll have to agree on that front. I like your idea anon, and it might also do well to make a system that ensures the corporations aren't solely defined by greed and self-interest but instead act for the sake of the Emperor and the Empire as a whole. Perhaps we should ask Pete about what his recommendations would be in this regard.

>>5978452
I mean that applies to everything that holds some power and incentive to create or hold onto wealth doesn't it? From the government to the military to the bureaucracy hell even our own nobles could grow spoiled and corrupt making them much harder to please if given enough generations without oversight.

>>5978457
The only way to do that 100% I can think of would be through absolute state capitalism which frankly has its own issues. We could abolish or put extreme restrictions onto the stock market forcing companies to only be beholden to themselves and their customer base rather than a bunch of rich guys who just want to get richer and don't really care how its done but that could have some potentially drastic consequences on the economy.

>>5978452
>>5978457
Nope, Pete's point applies to every human institution and not just the corpos. I only agree with the part about having a member of the family head the Corp for the purposes of giving it more vision and direction than it could have as a group endeavour.

Anyway, I don't know why anons are being so sympathetic to Pete, he wasted not just Corp time and money for nothing but OUR Corp time and money for nothing.

>>5978462

He’s clearly autistic and we see ourselves in him.

Look, I think a better idea is to create a “Corp Auditing Force” within the IB to basically police the Corps and report to the Landsraad directly, rather than the Emperor. We want to create a system where excesses of the Corps are curbed and independent investigators can do this without fear of reprisal.

>>5978457
>a system that ensures the corporations aren't solely defined by greed and self-interest but instead act for the sake of the Emperor and the Empire as a whole
i think we should want this, but only for the CC. because it is the Crown Corp, you know. the others are the others, it's fine. i agree we should ask pete for suggestions

>>5978458
we shouldn't put focus on the nobles being somewhat corrupt, they are supposed to have a degree of independence since they are nobles. it's also in their best interest to not be corrupt, and also to be loyal to keep us happy. we keep the nobles on track with favors/threat of force/nightshayds mostly. but for economic and civic actors who are very tied in with the empire, such as Bureaucracy and now CC, their only incentives right now are wages and loyalty, right? so mostly loyalty. so the overseer figure would ensure that in the long run. and i also worry about the comment that the Bureaucracy is very big, and will only become bigger and more prone to inefficiencies. now it's a good chance to try to make it robust

>>5978462
pete is hardcore loyal to us and to the empire, he did it on the best of intentions and it didn't have a real negative effect to the empire (only to the CC)

>>5978464
that works only if the IB and the Landsraad happen to stay aligned with us in the long run. in any case i prefer the idea of an official role centered in a person (obviously he could have a group of people supporting), it fits and it gives something to do to one the emperor's close family members. we have lots of sons with no concrete job to do at the moment, although i haven't checked to see if anyone of them would fit

>>5978301
>Regardless of his intentions, the paper-pusher cost Crown Corp tens, if not hundreds of billions of credits, and is far too poor to properly fine. He'll be placed under house arrest and disbarred from the Imperial Bureaucracy.

>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.

No corruption or rot must take hold of the empire.

>I still say we should create an internal block chain system so our books are fully transparent and it's impossible to embezzle funds or misappropriate them.


Solely for us we don't have to let other people look at it.

I've been in something of a fugue the last couple of days, after dealing with things. Hard to write until I started writing, if you catch my drift. Updates'll be back to their standard rate from here-on-out.

>>5975786
House De Croize didn't come close to winning the 2nd Civil War, but they did almost kill Otto, a feat hundreds of Federal troops weren't able to replicate. Otto's psychology is particularly bellicose, even by House Heinrich's standards. If not for House Arthen's chivalric conditioning and his tutelage under House Heinrich, he would be a savage, as well as ferocious warmonger. Even now, he considers the warfront on Uvarth some of the best days of his life, only matched by the time he and Jeanne spent together after their marriage.

>>5976453
Old Earth has been shattered. The planet itself is still mostly in one piece and has kept its previous orbit, but that's all the resemblance it bears to the past. Its oceans have been evaporated or rendered more toxin than water, its continents broken into dozens of pieces, and parts of the mantle, exposed. The ruins of ancient human civilization for the most part, consist of a debris field stretching throughout the upper-atmosphere, and the surface below is wracked with all manner of exotic poisons and long-form radiation. Indiscriminate landmines and other, more insidious traps set by now-defunct automata are scattered throughout, the magnetosphere has been disrupted, and there is no longer a protective atmosphere, let alone one that can be breathed. In almost every way that can be named, the cradle of Mankind has been desecrated. Even so, orbiting the ruin is one of the Empire's most popular tourist destinations and it's widely considered the Empire's most important planet, with Mars as a distant second, and substitute. Some optimists feel the situation is only temporary but most think old Earth is lost in all but spirit.

>>5978467
Well its in the nobles best interest to not be corrupt against us for as long as we have the power and will to punish them for their corruption they still can and most likely do get away with more micro scale corruption especially against commoners.

Honestly we are lucky a lot of the noble houses have effectively self indoctrination programs they force their children to go through cause a decent amount of these houses (especially the nightshayds) would not be nearly as... consistent for lack of a better word otherwise, if any noble family (again ESPECIALLY the nightshayds) attempt to lessen or abolish those programs that should sound some major alarms and is something we should be on the look out for.

>>5978461
Perhaps something more flexible and fluid than state capitalism, while still fostering and ensuring support towards House Heinrich and the Empire? We could do something like you suggested but with lighter guidance, but with more punishments for anything overly corrupt or greedy.
Then again state capitalism can in fact work. It did well for America (they literally called their type of state capitalism the American System) and it's worked well for China.

>>5978462
Yes it can apply to most human institutions, but that sort of mentality is prevalent mostly in corporations (institutions with the sole purpose of making money).

>>5978464
>Look, I think a better idea is to create a “Corp Auditing Force” within the IB to basically police the Corps and report to the Landsraad directly, rather than the Emperor.
I like the idea of a "Corp Auditing Force", but why not have it report both to the Landsraad and the Emperor? Or maybe we can have it report to House Uvar as well?

>>5978467
I feel like the other Corps will eventually become too big to fight against. Sure that may be many generations ahead, but I'll take Pete's opinion to heart.

>>5978479
Have there been any explorers or adventurers that have tried going back to Earth?
Are there any detailed first hand accounts about the planet?

I think I'll go for this for now.

>>5978301
>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.
He's too experienced to be put under house arrest. Maybe giving him a position to train more bureaucrats and/or in an advisory role?

>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.
>LenientIy. Anyone taking bribes or skimming from the top will be immediately disbarred, and forced to pay an equivalent fine or go into debt.
Depending on the crime.

>>5978301
>Regardless of his intentions, the paper-pusher cost Crown Corp tens, if not hundreds of billions of credits, and is far too poor to properly fine. He'll be placed under house arrest and disbarred from the Imperial Bureaucracy.

>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.

>>5978452
>create a figure of CC overseer or similar and tie it to a member of our close family by blood
I support this suggestion

The overseer should have not have any operational control over the company though. They should be more like a full-time auditor / Board of Directors, with a small team of investigatory staff.

>>5978479
>Some optimists feel the situation is only temporary but most think old Earth is lost in all but spirit.

What a grand mega-project - The Restoration of Old Earth!

While it may take generations, it would surely enhance Imperial legitimacy.

Also, did our old (secret AI?) adviser ever reveal his secret to us..?

>>5978602
No we never investigated. Idk why people keep asking.

I did a tally for fun and to hopefully make the vote look cleaner.

>>5978313
>>5978356
>>5978361
>>5978369
>>5978409
>>5978447
>>5978505
Allow him to continue.

>>5978326
>>5978357
>>5978415
>>5978478
>>5978599
Forced retirement and house arrest.

>>5978313
>>5978356
>>5978369
>>5978409
>>5978447
>>5978599
No rest for the wicked.

>>5978326
>>5978357
>>5978361
>>5978478
Off with their heads.

>>5978415
>>5978505
Each according to their crime.


There is general support to create some sort of oversight for Crown Corp and/or other Corporations, with different ideas floating around in what that would look like.
And there's also general support to have Pete in a more advisory role in the issue of Corps as well as having him mentor bureaucrats.

>>5978495
>We could do something like you suggested but with lighter guidance, but with more punishments for anything overly corrupt or greedy.
Only involvement should be concerning deceit and fraud in my opinion.

>Yes it can apply to most human institutions, but that sort of mentality is prevalent mostly in corporations (institutions with the sole purpose of making money).
Our bloated and crooked modern governments would beg to differ.

>>5978599
>The overseer should have not have any operational control over the company though. They should be more like a full-time auditor / Board of Directors, with a small team of investigatory staff.
No, just have somebody from the family that has vision and good conduct to be something like CEO.

>>5978610
>There is general support to create some sort of oversight for Crown Corp and/or other Corporations
Im more interested in an intelligence agency than such a thing.

>>5978620
>Only involvement should be concerning deceit and fraud in my opinion.
I'm still surprised you support government intervention in business in any regard.
>Our bloated and crooked modern governments would beg to differ.
Such governments would not exist without the support and influence of corporations.

>Im more interested in an intelligence agency than such a thing.
Well your opinion is noted, although it's not in the majority. Besides there is no need for a dichotomy between having an anti-corruption agency and an intelligence agency. Both can exist.

>>5978620
>No, just have somebody from the family that has vision and good conduct to be something like CEO.
No we should let the Privy Council keep managing it or maybe a group of experts that is ideologically aligned to us, but with investigator oversight and more House Heinrich influence.

>>5978627
>I'm still surprised you support government intervention in business in any regard.
Im not an idealist AnCap. I simply notice that almost everytime the government tries to help in something, it either makes the problem worse or it doesn't help at all. All the budgets and spending keep increasing yet the problems never get better.

>Such governments would not exist without the support and influence of corporations.
More like these corpos and governments couldn't exist without the other, their relationship is symbiotic and not one sided as you suggest. Besides, even when the corporations and profit motive aren't there the corruption and greed problem gets worse and not better. After all, corpos aren't the ones that can take your money at gunpoint or from your wallet through printing.

>>5978637
The Privy Council lads would still be there anon, Im not suggesting we replace them but instead have someone give direction and vision to the company.

>>5978651

>governments are actually incapable of doing good

I’m surprised that housecats can post on 4chan

>>5978653
Never said incapable. Everytime a prosecutor or police officer brings justice to people like thieves, muggers, fraudsters or other such miscreants, it brings me peace.

>>5978651
>Im not an idealist AnCap. I simply notice that almost everytime the government tries to help in something, it either makes the problem worse or it doesn't help at all. All the budgets and spending keep increasing yet the problems never get better.
I can respect your opinion and can see where you're coming from, but I disagree in principle.
>More like these corpos and governments couldn't exist without the other, their relationship is symbiotic and not one sided as you suggest. Besides, even when the corporations and profit motive aren't there the corruption and greed problem gets worse and not better. After all, corpos aren't the ones that can take your money at gunpoint or from your wallet through printing.
I'd counter that corporations as we know them are a relatively modern type of entity while governments are about as old as written history. I would go as far as to say a government doesn't necessarily need the assistance of corporate entities to be efficient or do something positive for the people they rule over. And while corruption and greed are indeed present in many different systems and institutions, I'm mostly just stating that within corporations both greed and corruption tend to be more prevalent (especially if corporations go unchecked) due to the very nature of corporations.

>>5978610
>people want to be lenient on the old man because he was against the corruption of the corps
>people also don't want to be light on corruption

>>5978677
want to be light on corruption*

>>5978677
I wouldn't necessarily call forced labor and literal lashings against things like bribery or embezzlement as "light on corruption" kek

>>5978685
I would. These kinds of things represent some of the biggest potential threats to the empire and should be treated as such. Anything less than a punishment fit for treason is light.

>>5978669
I'd counter that corporations as we know them are a relatively modern type of entity while governments are about as old as written history.
True.

>I would go as far as to say a government doesn't necessarily need the assistance of corporate entities to be efficient or do something positive for the people they rule over.
The government doesn't need corporations at all, it's the economy that does (If it's gonna be prosperous at least). The government CAN do positive things like punishing criminals (which is the one I like the most) but it seems that anything that involves the creation of wealth is bungled much more often than not.

>And while corruption and greed are indeed present in many different systems and institutions, I'm mostly just stating that within corporations both greed and corruption tend to be more prevalent (especially if corporations go unchecked) due to the very nature of corporations.
And Im saying that within governments both greed and corruption tend to be more prevalent due to the very nature of governments. (They will ALWAYS get their money)

Without fraud or force, Corpos will always be limited in what they can do. Checks against those make any other check redundant.

>>5978685
Then you don't hate corruption enough.

>>5978692
I personally think that forced labor would serve to set a better example in a place like the Empire, since with an execution their suffering will be over quickly but work and whipping requires them to pay for what they did.

>>5978703
>And Im saying that within governments both greed and corruption tend to be more prevalent due to the very nature of governments. (They will ALWAYS get their money)
A government's nature is not primarily made for the sole reason of making/securing money, but to oversee a people and ensure they don't all die or fall into chaos. A corporation's nature is solely for the accumulation of wealth, everything else is secondary.
>Without fraud or force, Corpos will always be limited in what they can do. Checks against those make any other check redundant.
I disagree. Corporations can use passive strength, usually in the form of money, to get what they want. There's not even a need to use brute force or fraud, if they have enough money they can pressure the government and fund organizations to make societies go in the direction they want.

>>5978728
>A government's nature is not primarily made for the sole reason of making/securing money, but to oversee a people and ensure they don't all die or fall into chaos. A corporation's nature is solely for the accumulation of wealth, everything else is secondary.
Doesn't contradict what I said.

>I disagree. Corporations can use passive strength, usually in the form of money, to get what they want. There's not even a need to use brute force or fraud, if they have enough money they can pressure the government and fund organizations to make societies go in the direction they want.
The only thing in that list that really concerns me is the subversion of government but that is a problem that can be handled by the intelligence agency not the paper pushing bureaucracy.

>>5978728
In that case it sounds like you would be in support of Cradus XVII. Unless you mean that people serving community service hours and getting whipped is a less desirable punishment than execution.

>>5978739
>Doesn't contradict what I said.
I'm of the opinion it does.
A governmental system does not necessarily fail if it doesn't get their money in the end, so long as the nation doesn't collapse into chaos and government itself is dissolved.
A corporation that isn't profitable, on the other hand, has failed its primary (and arguably fundamental) purpose.
>The only thing in that list that really concerns me is the subversion of government but that is a problem that can be handled by the intelligence agency not the paper pushing bureaucracy.
That's fair.

>>5978755
>community service hours
When I think of "forced labor" I mostly imagine work camps and mines, not meme punishments like picking up litter for a few weeks. Also whipping is brutal, especially if it's public.

>>5978766
>A governmental system does not necessarily fail if it doesn't get their money in the end, so long as the nation doesn't collapse into chaos and government itself is dissolved.
But that's the thing. They ALWAYS get their money and since that's the case, what external incentive do they have to make it count? Sometimes, they are incentivized do nothing or as little as possible since, if the job is done, they don't get paid more.

Yes, corporations' express purpose is to make money but greed is universal and as such, those who have access to the guaranteed fountain that is government income are the one's whose greed reaps the most unjust and disproportionate rewards. Therefore, since it's rewards are so great, greed and corruption tend to be more prevalent.

>>5978766
Yes they do... it's called fucking austerity measures. Like bro go learn basic economics. And if your government fails its massively worse than just a corpo failing to a competitor.

Capitalism is literally the best way to deliver goods to a customer.

State based economics always fails. And if a competitor arrives in capitalism that does the thing better, more efficiently and cheaper. The old outdated model gets put down like the dog it is.

Communism, socialism never work ever. And it's not because "greed".

The Russians subsidized bread. To the point it was cheaper for children to use bread as a soccer ball than it was to have an actual ball. Their was immense waste of bread because it WAS basically free.

Basic economics literally teaches that. And I'm talking real economics models and not bullshit ones like keyseians or MMT.


Fucking dumbasses. Smdh.

>>5978797
You won't convince anyone by talking down to them or by speaking in a language they don't understand anon.

>>5978797

Read this book and tell me if your opinion changes, anon.

https://www.amazon.com/Capital-Twenty-Century-Thomas-Piketty/dp/067443000X

>>5978803
From a quick google search, it seems to be a frog blaming the increasingly unjust economies post 1900 on capitalism. Nothing austrian economics hasn't addressed before, they predicted it in fact.

>>5978788
>Sometimes, they are incentivized do nothing or as little as possible since, if the job is done, they don't get paid more.
Not necessarily. You're not accounting for those that are ideologically driven, or legitimately selfless idealists that want to make the world a better place. People act irrationally, but there is less movement to do so under a corporation since it is in their express purpose to make some sort of monetary gain.
>Yes, corporations' express purpose is to make money but greed is universal and as such, those who have access to the guaranteed fountain that is government income are the one's whose greed reaps the most unjust and disproportionate rewards. Therefore, since it's rewards are so great, greed and corruption tend to be more prevalent.
I agree that greed can be found anywhere, but (unless I'm misunderstanding what you're saying here) I personally think it's too extreme to call it the universal driving force of people. Sacrifice and selflessness are usually seen as virtues for a reason.

>>5978797
Yes governments failing is exponentially worse than corporations failing, this goes back to my point about governments not really needing corporate influence. We can talk a bit about austerity economics, it should make some good discussion, but I'll have to wait on my end since I'm going to go to bed and I might be busy for most of tomorrow.
As for talking about socialism or communism's failures as governments or even about capitalism's relation to the consumer, part of me is too tired to discuss the whole "that wasn't real capitalism/socialism!" stuff. My main point is that I'm merely stating corporations are more likely to act in greed than governments.

>>5978803
I haven't seen this book before, might give it a read. Thank you for sharing anon.

>>5978809
>Nothing austrian economics hasn't addressed before, they predicted it in fact.
You tempt me to stay awake, anon.

>>5978803
Like other anon said. Austrian economics has always pointed out that you need to not have cartels or monopolies. And that their can't be barriers to entry. Which if you look at let's say Google and Apple. What do they always do? Oh they buy out competition before it even starts. It's very easy to not allow cartels to exist. By allowing new competition into the market. What do big corporations do?

They lobby for regulations (Aka not a free market) that no one else but they can abide by. This then forces competition to cease to exist. Austrian economics spells it all out very well.

Tldr: butthurt frog crying that they lost power after napoleon due to other countries out competing them. Von mises is the goat and always will be.

>>5978479
How did that happen anyway? I can't remember if the fall of Old Earth was ever mentioned in previous threads.

>>5978816
You can't be greedy in a competitive market. Someone will do it better and cheaper than you and you lose your market share. Hence the term perfect competition. Which is the ideal situation for everyone involved. Cheapest product for the consumer and the best product or someone will buy it from your competitors instead.

Like I said it's literally basic economics.

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/perfectcompetition.asp

Here's a link for the ignorant. Hopefully you're just ignorant and not willfully ignorant. One's not your fault and one is.

>>5978809
>>5978820

>a quick google search means that I am now smarter than an award-winning economist

lol, k

>>5978816
>You're not accounting for those that are ideologically driven, or legitimately selfless idealists that want to make the world a better place.
I am, it's just that people with true conviction are the exception and not the rule.

>I agree that greed can be found anywhere, but (unless I'm misunderstanding what you're saying here) I personally think it's too extreme to call it the universal driving force of people.
There are other driving forces for human action but wealth is a means to a LOT of ends and is thus one of the most desirable things to humans.

>Sacrifice and selflessness are usually seen as virtues for a reason.
Of course.

I don't know if you actually got my point though since you didn't address it. This one:
>those who have access to the guaranteed fountain that is government income are the one's whose greed reaps the most unjust and disproportionate rewards. Therefore, since it's rewards are so great, greed and corruption tend to be more prevalent.
tl;dr Crooks can get more money in government than they can get in business since the money flows regardless of their results.

>You tempt me to stay awake, anon.
1. So do you, I always love a good argument. This kind, not the throw insults and talk past each other kind.
2. I can't tell if you're saying that like "What is this school of thought that predicted this phenomenon we both dislike" or like "I disagree but I want to go to sleep".

>>5978825
Here's an example for Crown corp. There's only so many scientific ways to make steel.

There will obviously be a best way that gives you the strongest steel and is the cheapest way to produce said steel.

Only thing that changes this is innovation. Such as a new found way to make steel that is both cheaper and stronger. For a brief period of time the new competitor makes more money leveraging their new technology. As time goes on guess what? All your competitors know how to do it too. And the market rebalances itself. Rinse le repeat.

This is why companies put so much money into research and development. It's one of the few ways to gain a market advantage (economics term).

The easier way which is what everyone in current reality beats to death... is marketing. By giving some story that people can buy into. And that's why Gucci can charge shitloads of money for basically the exact same good as some other brand that's a 1/10th the price.

It's why China is a current economic juggernaut. They have both the high end "gucci" factory and next door with the exact same equipment. Make cheap as dirt shit. But equivalently the exact same product.

>>5978828
Award winning doesn't mean shit. Modern monetary theory won tons of awards. So did keyseians. Guess what time has proved both to be fucking wrong.

>>5978828
Spouting credential worship doesn't do anything anon.

>>5978803
Also here's what thr Austrians have to say about your dipshit.

https://mises.org/mises-wire/hendrickson-dissects-pikettys-capital-twenty-first-century

>>5978832
>>5978834

Anons, this will be my last post in our friendly debate.

I regret to inform you that credentials and expertise REALLY DO matter, in life. Not all opinions are equal - expert opinions are the only ones that matter. Thomas Piketty's opinions on capitalism has informed national economic policy across the Western world for ten years. If you disregard his opinion out of hand on the basis of "lol butthurt frog", you are just announcing that you are currently uneducated on the subject and your opinion is worthless. Now, if Thomas Piketty started shitposting about marine biology on Twitter, he would be ridiculed and for good reason

Take heart, anons! This is an opportunity to confront the challenge head on and do some didactic learning. People improve when they are forced to confront their oversights and weaknesses. Marcus Aurelius would insist that you read Piketty's work and argue against it on the merits. Good luck!

>>5978840

you know that the only other book this guy wrote is Bible fan-fiction, right? Not really a reputable opinion.

https://www.amazon.com/Famous-But-Nameless-Inspiration-Characters/dp/1462055095/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.tbWtZ34FSRWakz3OJYVDXsFXTQ4lUq7DeGOFzcZG475rgzL_N4Dp7P1YGmlCaxBNIH71EIzcznzeZNc6QzYlbJNKRO3HKgeU6rUbfdRWh2Fh24X1z3pXzHLbB7_AVi1OWpOkyavSFuSrz1d1fqzC0cA4zlWC7bIVZSQRS4bVWV5qqIU9k3k7x2PsKYq9vN373FnuIUkdmc4Q6MxOr2ph-KwBsgJTgenj97oPje7vDnE.ckip1uNPGFPeZrQPPAcRRJz4t52P1bnOuf9p3VaY44k&dib_tag=se&qid=1713239025&refinements=p_27%3AMark+Hendrickson&s=books&sr=1-2&text=Mark+Hendrickson

>>5978846
>I regret to inform you that credentials and expertise REALLY DO matter, in life.
True.

>Not all opinions are equal>
True.

>expert opinions are the only ones that matter.
Absolutely not. That is just an appeal to authority fallacy, there is no intrinsic connection between an expert™ opinion and the truth. Besides, like other anon said, we have our own experts™ too.

>Thomas Piketty's opinions on capitalism has informed national economic policy across the Western world for ten years.
Appeal to popularity. No intrinsic connection between what is popular and what is true.

>People improve when they are forced to confront their oversights and weaknesses. Marcus Aurelius would insist that you read Piketty's work and argue against it on the merits.
Oh quiet you.

tl;dr: Experts™ aren't gods that define what reality is.

>>5978864
Nah, this part and parcel of the Simple Space Empire experience. The Quest asks for policy opinions and this is the natural result.

What I don't want is insults and sass which just takes the fun out of it.

The best method to gain control over an entire nation has always been to control the money supply. Loans, currency minting, inflation and deflation are all mechanisms that could be used to gain such control even without being a governmental entity.

>>5978870
>What I don't want is insults and sass which just takes the fun out of it.
Some banter is alright. Your free-market buddy is good at it and has been the only one making any real insults or sass until now!

>>5978825
>the theories I follow are the ideal for everyone involved. REAL *insert ideology* has never remained because of those damn *insert ideological enemy*
Where have I heard this before...

File: 1534913254530.jpg (44 KB, 690x388)

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I'm currently having some hardware problems and am struggling to stay conscious after a long day at work. The update is mostly written and I could power through and post it, but I want the quest to be the best it can be, and by extension, I think it's best to post when I'm fully conscious.

I'll be mobile-posting tomorrow, as my PC is nonfunctional and will be until near the end of next week. Thank you for your patience. I'm sorry about all of these delays- I think the QM curse is real but as long as there's Wi-Fi in the continental U.S. and House Heinrich endures, I won't stop posting.

>>5978912
Thank you for keeping at it QM. You the real one.
btw as a phoneposter myself I'd understand if you can't update or gotta postpone things, phoneposting can be a bitch.

>>5978846
https://www.amazon.com/Problems-Piketty-Fallacies-Capital-Twenty-First/dp/1503145212

Mate and look how well western economics are doing right now with their modern monetary theory. Fucking bankrupt with sky high inflation. Nuff said.
>>5978847
You're a retard and linked the wrong author... kek

Shows all I need about your googling ability... absolute KEK

>>5978846
https://www.cato.org/policy-report/july/august-2015/how-piketty-misses-point

Look another source that says his points don't make logical sense. Correlation doesn't equal causation.

>>5978846
https://www.chicagobooth.edu/review/how-piketty-is-wrong-and-right

Even Chicago calls it rebranded Marxism.

Ultimate kek.

>>5978901
Austrian economics is constantly said to be wrong and we have to use new x economic model. Then those economic models implode a decade later.

The latest being modern monetary theory.

It's all historical fact mate. Has nothing to do with ideology. Literally just logical and statistically backed theories versus conjecture based theories that end up being proven false.

>>5978943
https://carnegieendowment.org/2014/05/06/thomas-piketty-is-pulling-your-leg-pub-55570

Oh look he tries to say he's not a Marxist and didn't read it. Yet discusses and even named his book after marxs own.
>>5978847

Just admit you're a dirty communist. It's quite evident.

File: 1699834150208349.jpg (201 KB, 524x629)

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What is a quest?

>>5978967
>quest focuses on economics and politics
>shocked people discuss things related to economics and politics

>>5978941
>Correlation doesn't equal causation.
We're all aware that being a drunk driver doesn't have any relation to car accidents, tell me something I don't know anon.

>>5978943
And why hasn't this perfect and wholesome Austrian economic system never kept after being around? C'mon man, I know you wanna say it with how you throw around the word Marxist.

>>5979009
Discussion of economics and politics in relation to the quest is to be expected. This is not that, this is a sperg out.

>>5979014
>And why hasn't this perfect and wholesome Austrian economic system never kept after being around?
Why was the Chrysler turbine engine surpressed? You are assuming that people choose what is best for the rest of humanity when that is demonstrably untrue.
>>5979017
I don’t see much wrong with it.

>>5978599
>The overseer should have not have any operational control over the company though. They should be more like a full-time auditor / Board of Directors, with a small team of investigatory staff.
this is more or less what i had in mind. but maybe we should take the chance to have this role apply also to the Bureocracy, and have it streamline cooperation between them and avoid further complications like this pete guy.

the CC won't be constantly interacting with the B, but they are our corp and we want them to have an edge over other corps so it's bound to happen in the future again, we want to keep it running smooth. this new role would ease communications, sharing and contracting of resources, solve conflicting issues or escalate them to us, etc. and it would save us work each time we want them to do something, we can do it through this figure and lessen our paperwork

>>5979030
Business is business, baby. Survival of the fittest.
Good to know the American money making cabal is still going strong.
That project looked cool, a shame the Burgers decided to exclusively use it on their tanks instead of making it commercial.

>>5979076
The turbine engine would have too good for the public if it was released. It would have been released too if it weren’t for the fact it was essentially banned by the regulations that automakers and big oil were pushing.

>>5979126
I can just imagine how they justified it. Can't have it spread around so much it gets in the hands of America's enemies lol

>>5978829
>I am, it's just that people with true conviction are the exception and not the rule.
I disagree with the sentiment. People with true conviction are the ones who shape nations, cultures and social morality. Most of society then tends to move in the direction they push towards.
>There are other driving forces for human action but wealth is a means to a LOT of ends and is thus one of the most desirable things to humans.
I agree that in our current system monetary power means much (hence the extent of corporate influence), however that doesn't go against what I've said. Greed is still not the universal driving force of all humans.
>tl;dr Crooks can get more money in government than they can get in business since the money flows regardless of their results.
To gain a stable "money flow" it would necessitate the near complete corruption in every arm of the government at all times, which is untrue. Even if it is present this corruption can be purged through a variety of means, especially if the government uses it's own power to do so. Of course this presupposes that the respective governments aren't acting in the interests of corporations (or act like businesses themselves).
However the fight against corruption isn't done as much towards corporations (or if so it's under intense controversy and scrutiny), even though it is in the corps nature to accumulate more wealth.

>>5978825
A theoretical perfect free market isn't truly a defense against greed, considering there are bypasses one could make if you're clever enough. Of course then it could be argued it would no longer be a truly perfect competition, but that goes into how an idealized form of competition is defined. Despite all of that there is an inherent need to have self-interest in an ideal competitive market, sometimes to the extent of forsaking family and culture. That's not even touching on how irrational and emotional people can be.
>perfect competition
I myself once believed that such a thing could be achieved, but I've come to realize that this theoretical is about as likely as "post-scarcity communism". I might be optimistic about the potential of humans, but the necessary environment and cooperation between all parties to play fair in an unregulated cutthroat competitive arena is unrealistic. People tend to still buy junk and make bad decisions despite knowing it's not in the best interests for the rest of humanity, just look at the effect marketing has on people's purchasing choices.

>>5978831
>The easier way which is what everyone in current reality beats to death... is marketing. By giving some story that people can buy into. And that's why Gucci can charge shitloads of money for basically the exact same good as some other brand that's a 1/10th the price.
I completely agree with this statement. Something that has good marketing will sell more than a product that's objectively better and cheaper for the consumer in every way.

>>5979153
>I disagree with the sentiment. People with true conviction are the ones who shape nations, cultures and social morality. Most of society then tends to move in the direction they push towards.
Yeah? These people can move society but they are still the exception. Most people are sheep, going about their own lives while still somewhat following the direction of the herd.

>I agree that in our current system monetary power means much
It has always meant much. From a roman aristocrat with tons of gold or a mongol warrior with tons of cattle. Wealth brings power to achieve your ends in life.

>however that doesn't go against what I've said. Greed is still not the universal driving force of all humans.
I was supplementing what you said, Im not confident in saying it's THE driving force but it is definetly A driving force.

>To gain a stable "money flow" it would necessitate the near complete corruption in every arm of the government at all times, which is untrue.
Yet it happens all the time in our modern governments.

>Even if it is present this corruption can be purged through a variety of means, especially if the government uses it's own power to do so.
But the bigger the government is the harder this task will be. This goes along with something I wanted to say about those with conviction. The more lean we can make our state, the less corruption we'll have.

>Of course this presupposes that the respective governments aren't acting in the interests of corporations (or act like businesses themselves).
It's the latter. Government organizations trying to suck as much taxpayer funding as possible, happens all the time.

>However the fight against corruption isn't done as much towards corporations (or if so it's under intense controversy and scrutiny), even though it is in the corps nature to accumulate more wealth.
1. What universe are you living in where corporations aren't scrutinized? Your opinion of "corporations are behind it all!" is the norm, mine of "corporations and government have become one in the same." is the exception.
2. I think the problem you have is that you see corporations as this homogenous organism when in fact they are merely a composite of people. Since greed is a driving force of people, how do the incentives of the organization interact with that greed? My point is that corporations are limited by the fact that they must offer something desirable to someone in order to get any money. Government have no such obligations since they get their money through force and therefore the greed of those within can have much greater and unjust rewards and also therefore there is a bigger incentive to be greedy.

>>5979137
It’s worse than you can imagine. The way they banned the turbine engine is through emissions laws restricting what fuels an engine could use. The reason this is important is two-fold. The turbine engine could use any combustible fuel including the highly poisonous lead based gasoline. However the only reason lead gasoline was a thing was because the piston engines at the time were a shitty design that kept breaking if you used any other fuel, which the automakers and big oil knew this fuel would be detrimental to the rest of humanity. So essentially the automakers and big oil created a problem that harmed everyone in the world then used it to banned their biggest threat under the guise of environmentalism.

>>5979161
>Most people are sheep somewhat following the direction of the herd.
On that we can agree on.
>Wealth brings power to achieve your ends in life.
I'd argue that the modern society is one compromised of merchants having the most influence through passive strength. The Mongol and the Roman didn't use their wealth in the same way a billionaire today would.
>Im not confident in saying it's THE driving force but it is definetly A driving force.
To an extent, but I don't believe it's universal for all humans. A large amount of governments and even corporations aren't bent on greed but on ideology.
>it happens all the time in our modern governments.
Unfortunately true. We need more intervention against corruption in the government, and they shouldn't act in the interests of business.
>the bigger the government is the harder this task will be. This goes along with something I wanted to say about those with conviction. The more lean we can make our state, the less corruption we'll have.
The weaker the government the weaker the response will be against corruption (both internal and external) and the more easier it is to ignore. A weak decentralized government cannot stop foreign forces from influencing it.
>Government organizations trying to suck as much taxpayer funding as possible
I'm glad we can agree that governments should not act like businesses. Yet without taxes the State must either engage in corruption to make ends meet or demilitarize and depolice itself.
>scrutiny
Not referring to corpos not being scrutinized, they are, merely that investigations tend to give too much leeway to businesses while putting on a show. And when there is some investigation it is usually swept under the rug and memory holed. I can give an example if you wish.
>you see corporations as this homogenous organism when in fact they are merely a composite of people.
I don't see them as homogenous, but they are a homogenizing force. Freedom of trade and movement are the first steps to erasing national borders and cultures, as we can see with the EU's project to federalize.
>governments don't have obligations
I believe I already gave an explanation on what obligations they had and the extreme consequences of them not meeting such.
>greed a driving force and governments are easily more greedy
Greed is not as big of a driving force as ideology or cultural preference, nor is greed as universal as you might think.
A government's punishment for being too greedy against it's people and country is the collapse of said government, far more extreme than a corp going out of business. Unfortunately modern governments tend to act in the interests of capital, and thus they get corporate backing.
>corporations are limited by the fact that they must offer something desirable to someone in order to get any money
A product with excellent marketing can be more profitable even if objectively terrible, making the limits not as big as one would think.

>>5979209
I think it’s more accurate to say selfishness is central to human motivation than greed.

>>5979014
Because it doesn't help the corrupt fed making the people poorer and their rich friends richer. Where modern monetary theory does. This can be said about all central banks it's not solely a usa problem.

Look at usa money supply increase over the last few years. How MMT said nothing bad would happen with endless money printing. Then look at CPI. And realize it was all a fucking lie.

Like seriously just look at inflation and realize MMT was just a loaf of horse shit.

>>5978301
>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.
Make him train more bureaucrats and in an advisory role for us.

>Extremely. Those who would exploit the Empire, and by extension, all of Mankind, deserve no future and will receive none on Cradus XVII.
>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.
>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.
>LenientIy. Anyone taking bribes or skimming from the top will be immediately disbarred, and forced to pay an equivalent fine or go into debt.
Depending on what crime they did.

>>5978301
>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.
>Take Pete's advice in the matter of the Corps. Ask if he wishes to teach the new generation of pencil pushers.
>Create a system to oversee them. Also make an anti-corruption agency.
State capitalism, ho!
>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.
No mercy for the corrupt.

>>5978301
>Crown Corp itself was once a Floreds Corp asset, and the commoner's actions could be forgiven in that respect. He'll be allowed to continue his employment under the Imperial Bureaucracy.
>Take Pete's advice in the matter of the Corps.
>Create a system to oversee them. Make an anti-corruption agency.

>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.
>Moderately. Those caught taking advantage of their position will be whipped (or, if needed, worked) in proportion to their misdeeds.
>LenientIy. Anyone taking bribes or skimming from the top will be immediately disbarred, and forced to pay an equivalent fine or go into debt.
Like the idea of punishing them according to their crimes but sending them to Cradus would be redundant.

>>5979326
>>5979303
>Depending on what crime they did
This is what the vote is for. You can't just say do all of them.

>>5979331
Yeah I had a feeling that was what the vote was about.

>>5978301
>>5979303
I'll chang my vote to fully support >>5979316

>>5979331
Alright thanks man.

>>5979352
>chang
*change

>>5978301
>>5979326
If it's only one punishment then put me on supporting
>Moderately
I'll keep the rest of my vote the same.

>>5979267
One could talk about it either way, though I feel like there's some more nuance to it.

>>5979209
>The weaker the government the weaker the response will be against corruption (both internal and external) and the more easier it is to ignore. A weak decentralized government cannot stop foreign forces from influencing it.
A lean government isn't weaker than a bloated government just because the former is smaller than the latter the same way a small but experienced and well equipped force isn't weaker than a herd of miscreants. The leaner our government is, the higher the standards we can put on those who seek to enter it.

>I'm glad we can agree that governments should not act like businesses.
They shouldn't act like businesses because they don't operate under the same rules as businesses.

>Yet without taxes the State must either engage in corruption to make ends meet or demilitarize and depolice itself.
I don't want to abolish taxes, only to make the taxes count. To not spend it on the frivolous and redundant.

>Unfortunately modern governments tend to act in the interests of capital, and thus they get corporate backing.
I don't know what you mean by act in the interest of capital (It makes me want to accuse you of being a commie) but my gripe with it is that it has become this incoherent and byzantine mess that only seeks to expand it's power and for no other reason than having power for it's own sake.

>A product with excellent marketing can be more profitable even if objectively terrible, making the limits not as big as one would think.
That's the thing, different people value different things differently. You say they are objectively terrible (I'd agree with you) but by what metric and why should they use said metric? Basic subjective theory of value stuff.

>>5979420
>A lean government isn't weaker than a bloated government just because the former is smaller. Higher standards can put on those who seek to enter it.
Ah I thought you were talking about decentralization against unitary systems, my mistake.
>a small but experienced and well equipped force isn't weaker than a herd of miscreants.
Tell that to the Taliban, or really any guerilla force from the Viet Cong to the American Minutemen. I know that's not what you meant, but I couldn't help but see the parallels lmao
>I don't want to abolish taxes, only to make the taxes count. To not spend it on the frivolous and redundant.
On that we can agree.
>I don't know what you mean by act in the interest of capital
You've been saying all this time that corporations and governments have become one and the same. What I'm saying is similar to that, except I believe that governments and corporations are separate entities with the former being more corrupted by the latter than vice-versa. I'm not advocating for the abolishment of property or something like that, on the contrary if corporations continue to grow as they have been private property will become near impossible to obtain due to corporations buying it in mass.
However I agree that there needs to be some sort of change before things start to collapse.
>That's the thing, different people value different things differently. You say they are objectively terrible (I'd agree with you) but by what metric and why should they use said metric? Basic subjective theory of value stuff.
Well personally I think a good start would be to make sure any food product isn't actively killing the consumer with microplastics or be made out of a pink mystery sludge, and things like battery chicken farms should generally be stopped.
As for a formal metric for products, I don't really have an objective answer. But I do realize that we should probably have something in that regard before someone corrupt decides to make one and trick people into it.

This is the third time I've had to make this post. I hope 4chan doesn't decide to die on me again lmao

>>5979442
Best way for products is having "Grades"

Back to the steel example. Since that's what crown corp does most currently.

You can have various grades of steel.

Low strength cheap as shit steel (Aka low carbon content)

This steel is fine in anything not structural.

High carbon steel.

This is stronger than low carbon steel.

Used heavily as a structural component.

Cromoly steel. Even stronger but requires very specific fabrication methods to work with.

Same thing for stainless steels.

It's very easy to set minimum thresholds for products to meet to be graded as x. The government doesn't even need to do this. It's very easy to have a third party test a product and give it a stamp. Especially if there's many third parties that do it. Basically we're looking for a consensus on does x product meet y grade.

Very simple.

>>5979442
That's not why taliban or vietcong won. If you look at history they lost nearly every battle. They won because the reason we were at war with them wasn't well defined and the population at home didn't see any "progress" being made due to the wars being very badly defined in what their purpose was.

We can cross correlate that to Russia fighting in their SMO in Ukraine. They have very clear goals. Denazification, demiliterization, protection of Russian territory.

First one is killing or arresting anyone of x ideology. Second is killing of any males of fighting age and destroying all their equipment. Protection of Russian territory (Aka the shit they annexed). So kicking the Ukrainian army off of any land that's "russian".

Very simple. Very well defined.

Vs

Taliban which was the entire culture of the area (or at least the vast majority). To get rid of that. But to do it with out killing then all (Aka impossible). So the war was setup for failure in the first place.

Same thing for Vietnam. Majority of Vietnam was behind being communist very few were on our side. Therefore without heavy western intervention they were going to lose. (Which is why everytime we pulled troops out the south got their teeth kicked in) the fact that there was incredible dislike for fighting in a foreign country that didn't seem to want to fight their enemy as much as their enemy wanted to kill them.

This is why other than the west pumping retarded amount of weapons into ukraine is slightly different. Well at least it was it's changing now. They were highly motivated to fight the Russians. That's going away now due to ukraine poorly defining what them winning was. (Aka retake the donbass and Crimea. Which they clearly cannot do)

So now the population is turning against the war.

>>5978301
>Regardless of his intentions, the paper-pusher cost Crown Corp tens, if not hundreds of billions of credits, and is far too poor to properly fine. He'll be placed under house arrest and disbarred from the Imperial Bureaucracy.
>Severely. Willing theft from the Empire's offices is tantamount to treason and must be dealt with via execution.

>>5979442
>Tell that to the Taliban, or really any guerilla force from the Viet Cong to the American Minutemen.
Yeah asymetric warfare plays by different rules, look up the Huk rebellion if you're interested in a case where the insurgents lost.

>I'm not advocating for the abolishment of property or something like that, on the contrary if corporations continue to grow as they have been private property will become near impossible to obtain due to corporations buying it in mass.
Someone buying everything in free market conditions? Simply not possible by it's very nature of being free.

>Well personally I think a good start would be to make sure any food product isn't actively killing the consumer with microplastics or be made out of a pink mystery sludge.
Yet if someone wanted to eat the mystery sludge, why should we stop them? I agree with you if there's no transparency about it but if someone insists on drinking bleach...

>As for a formal metric for products, I don't really have an objective answer. But I do realize that we should probably have something in that regard before someone corrupt decides to make one and trick people into it.
My point is that there isn't an objective metric, you can state the facts about a product or service like >>5979455 suggests but how people value those facts is going to be subjective.

>>5979455
I like this concept.

>>5979468
That is an interesting view on it and I can agree with the meaning behind wars and the necessity of having a set reason for them that people can get behind.
Either way I think the history books describing modern conflicts are going to be wild.

>>5979472
>Huk rebellion
Huh, haven't heard of that one before. Thank you for sharing anon. I'd imagine they didn't win due to their unpopularity and the stability of the Philippines (which was also their country, so no homeland advantage).
>Someone buying everything in free market conditions? Simply not possible by it's very nature of being free.
I don't think free market conditions are sustainable in the long term, ultimately it'll devolve into corporatocracy/oligarchy. But I feel like we're talking in circles about this subject.
>Yet if someone wanted to eat the mystery sludge, why should we stop them? I agree with you if there's no transparency about it but if someone insists on drinking bleach...
I'd rather prevent death and suicide if at all possible.
You yourself said that most people were like sheep that somewhat followed the herd, most people don't really care or have the time to think about deep philosophical or economic theories, to just leave them be this modern misinformed advertiser friendly world is inviting an orgy of death.
>Objective metric and subjective views
I agree there is no agreed upon formal objective metric for products (at least not one that is talked about often), but I'm recommending one is formally collected and promoted before someone else decides to formally make one and promulgate it.

>>5979499
>I don't think free market conditions are sustainable in the long term, ultimately it'll devolve into corporatocracy/oligarchy.
I actually agree with that but yeah we're going in circles.

>I'd rather prevent death and suicide if at all possible. You yourself said that most people were like sheep that somewhat followed the herd, most people don't really care or have the time to think about deep philosophical or economic theories, to just leave them be this modern misinformed advertiser friendly world is inviting an orgy of death.
So do I but the way to do that is through the word rather than the sword, to preach your moral vision (It's why I want to develop and propagate the Mandate philosophy). Most people are sheep so they need a shepard not a lawman.

>I agree there is no agreed upon formal objective metric for products (at least not one that is talked about often), but I'm recommending one is formally collected and promoted before someone else decides to formally make one and promulgate it
That didn't really address what I said. I suppose we can make some metrics for products that buyers and sellers can use but the point I was making is that people will make different value judgements about them. "I'll purchase the pricier but better quality one" "This is kind of shit but it will have to do" and so on.

>>5979532
>So do I but the way to do that is through the word rather than the sword, to preach your moral vision (It's why I want to develop and propagate the Mandate philosophy). Most people are sheep so they need a shepard not a lawman.
That's well said, but I still believe a mix of words and ruthlessness can be useful for the Empire. I haven't really looked into the Mandate philosophy too much, but it does seem interesting.
>That didn't really address what I said. I suppose we can make some metrics for products that buyers and sellers can use but the point I was making is that people will make different value judgements about them. "I'll purchase the pricier but better quality one" "This is kind of shit but it will have to do" and so on.
I do agree that people don't see products the same way, and many don't even care, I guess my real issue lies with how advertising tends to artificially make bad products desirable to the public and I think a method of countering that is needed before someone finds a way to entrench and justify the existence of bad practices.

And just for fun before I go to bed, I'll update the tally.

>>5979316
>>5979326
>>5979352
Three more to show leniency towards Pete.

>>5979470
One more to force into house arrest.

>>5979316
>>5979352
>>5979470
Three more for executions.

>>5979367
One more for whipping and hard labor.

While showing the old man mercy (and probably getting him to teach new blood along with his advice on how to deal with the Corps) has a strong lead, we now have a tie between killing traitors and whipping/hard labor to anyone we deem corrupt.
Some more ideas for how to deal with the Corps like making a new anti-corruption agency to oversee them and general anti-corruption.

>>5979549
>killing traitors
Wait isn't Otto against purely killing anyone we're against? Kill the idea behind the man, not the man himself?

>>5979552
Huh that's an interesting way of looking at it. To be fair about executing them they were in fact acting in a way that was treasonous to the Emperor and the Empire.
Although a part of me wonders how Leopold would react to it if we just killed them outright. Would he find it hypocritical? Maybe think since we're in power it doesn't matter, power means everything and so on? I'm half tempted to change my vote just to see what happens.

>>5979547
>That's well said, but I still believe a mix of words and ruthlessness can be useful for the Empire.
But ruthlessness should be much more peculiar and discerning in my opinion.

>I guess my real issue lies with how advertising tends to artificially make bad products desirable to the public and I think a method of countering that is needed before someone finds a way to entrench and justify the existence of bad practices.
That mainly happens by harnessing natural though often bad human desires like showing off or fitting in. Products you and I see no value in are purchased more as a status symbol than for any practical utility from the product itself. Thus, attack the source by spreading lines of thought that are alike mine or yours and the desirabilty of such products will quickly decrease.

>>5979552
No? He wanted to kill the Tripartite members very much remember?

>>5979556
The old pro-Federation man we spared and gave cybernetics to literally supported treason against the Empire.

>>5979563
They killed millions, ruined entire planets and plunged the Empire into civil war. These guys just took bribes and money.

>>5979566
>The old pro-Federation man we spared and gave cybernetics to literally supported treason against the Empire.
In his thoughts, most he actually did was spit on a poster.

Anon greentexted "killing traitors" then wrote "Wait isn't Otto against purely killing anyone we're against? Kill the idea behind the man, not the man himself?", crooks are traitor and are against us thefore why wouldn't it apply?

>>5979570
>In his thoughts, most he actually did was spit on a poster.
He would've done something treasonous eventually had he been given the chance. Maybe join those drug runner Federation loyalists. Still spitting on the Emperor's portrait is an act of treason and the Empire is already extreme with punishments.
>crooks are traitor and are against us thefore why wouldn't it apply?
Why didn't we kill all the Ustongs then? We had the power to do it but we forgave those that repented and even left them with two planets. Will we let the corrupt that repent and surrender live?

>>5979576
>He would've done something treasonous eventually had he been given the chance.
Then we would've punished him when he tried. You don't punish someone for a crime they haven't commited.

>Still spitting on the Emperor's portrait is an act of treason and the Empire is already extreme with punishments.
No it isn't, it's vandalism.

>Why didn't we kill all the Ustongs then? We had the power to do it but we forgave those that repented and even left them with two planets. Will we let the corrupt that repent and surrender live?
No, we didn't kill all of them because not all of them were guilty of treason. Same with the other two.

Out of curiosity what does the imperial crown/regalia look like? Is that stuff older than some houses?

>>5978313
>>5978326
>>5978356
>>5978357
>>5978361
>>5978369
>>5978409
>>5978415
>>5978447
>>5978478
>>5978505
>>5978599
>>5979316
>>5979326
>>5979352
>>5979367
>>5979470
Reviewing the available information, you find it difficult to condemn Pete. While he abused his position to undermine Crown Corp and, in so doing, indirectly rendered House Heinrich poorer, he did it with loyalty toward the Empire at the forefront of his mind. Moreover, he enriched the Imperial Bureaucracy in the process, invested its credits well, and functionally cost the throne nothing.

You choose to forgive Pete and his co-conspirators and allow them to retain their prior positions. Even further, the man has diligently and competently served your bloodline for almost a century. Such a work ethic should be encouraged. You have he and his peers guided toward a teaching role, for what little remains of their years. Setting such a precedent may one day beget a tradition among those bureaucrats who refuse to retire.

This has quietly legitimized anti-Corp sentiments in the Imperial Bureaucracy, for better or worse.

Though Pete's motives may have been pure, his actions were an irritant. Their negative effects have been minor on the imperial scale and are thus easily forgiven, but his words- be they baseless rhetoric or valuable testimony- have brought key attention to the profit-motive driving most Corps, including your own. If greed is allowed to fester, it could lead to inefficiencies. You briefly consider if something ought to be done.

>Don't fix what isn't broken. Crown Corp is efficient enough to manage interstellar supply chains, and the less overreach they have to contend with, the better.
>Leave Crown Corp under the management of the Privy Council. Your advisors have done an excellent job in the background, and will likely continue to do so if given the chance.
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.

>>5979640
These examples of corruption among the Imperial Bureaucracy are an affront to your chivalric sensibilities. They must be punished accordingly, and set an example for those who would dare to follow in their footsteps. You are a merciful Emperor from a merciful lineage, and so, you'll grant those whose deeds cannot be forgiven- those who've swindled imperial forces, interfered with the inner workings of the imperial government, or conspired with traitors- the mercy of a quick and relatively painless execution.

Those whose deeds are lesser, limited to petty cronyism and lining their own pockets, will receive a commensurately lesser punishment. They'll be whipped and (occasionally, or, at the discretion of House Heinrich) put to work until they've generated enough value to the Empire to pay off what they've stolen. Unlike the lifelong punishments of some dynasties of the past, those few who manage to work off their debts will be forgiven of their crimes. Even if they'll be at the bottom of the list for consideration for new political appointees.

You feel you've handled the situation well enough, even if none of this is likely to make the mainstream history holo-tapes.

You're reminiscing on the good old days in Uvarth, several months later, when an out-of-breath messenger comes sprinting into the throneroom! Before you can formulate a response, another, also out-of-breath messenger comes sprinting in! You command them both to pause, catch their breath, and collect their thoughts before speaking. At their words, you nearly fall out of your throne in shock!

It appears that The Ledger will have to wait! Both of these men have incredibly important news that you've been anticipating for years! Unfortunately, you can only address one of them at a time!

Which do you want to hear first?

>The strategic information from the scouting expedition in Vrakak space!
>The final results of your sister Lydia's secret project!

>>5979641
>The final results of your sister Lydia's secret project!

>>5979640
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.
A permenant oversee position for CC who should ideally be a Heinrich close to the direct imperial line. Also reforms to check the Corp power as for, what I remember they control a significant amount of interstellar commerce in the Empire which is worrisome. The trade must flow, but under imperial authority.
>>5979641
>The final results of your sister Lydia's secret project!
Deal with sister shenanigans since it looks like the Vrak aren’t immediately planning an invasion, otherwise the messenger would have probably started off with that.

>>5979640
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
I want the fourth option too, but that is something his successor will be better suited for than Otto. Just setting up oversight for Crown Corp should suffice for now.

>>5979641
>The strategic information from the scouting expedition in Vrakak space!

>>5979655
We don't know they aren't planning an invasion. He came in out of breath and was ordered to hold his tongue, he didn't have an opportunity to "start off with it".

>>5979640
>>5979655
+1

>>5979640
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.

>>5979641
>The strategic information from the scouting expedition in Vrakak space!
I want to to the other one first but security comes first.

>>5979640
>Don't fix what isn't broken. Crown Corp is efficient enough to manage interstellar supply chains, and the less overreach they have to contend with, the better.
Guys... an overseer would be a completely useless position
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.
I can get behind trying to take Corp planets, they will be no threat to us without them.

>>5979641
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances. Setup house Uvar as a financial audit. Audit all corporations and government arms. Introduce a block chain for transparent exchanges between tax revenue and government expenditures.

>The strategic information from the scouting expedition in Vrakak space!

>>5979563
>But ruthlessness should be much more peculiar and discerning in my opinion.
>That mainly happens by harnessing natural though often bad human desires like showing off or fitting in. Products you and I see no value in are purchased more as a status symbol than for any practical utility from the product itself. Thus, attack the source by spreading lines of thought that are alike mine or yours and the desirabilty of such products will quickly decrease.
I agree with both of your points.
I feel like this line of thought has been exhausted by our conversation at this point kek

>>5979803
Then can you not support the Overseer idea? Pretty please?

>>5979823
I thought you supported the idea of putting a Heinrich as leader for it?

>>5979847
As leader for the company yes but not this watchdog position.

>>5979851
We can always have a Heinrich leading the company... what we need is house Uvar in the watchdog position. So they can "play at being neutral". And thus watch over all corporations and all government arms. And we can give them teeth by allowing them to use the Rangers and if need be the Imperial army to cut out any rot found. Though it should go through court first.

If you back the transparent empire stable coin for credits. We can have a transparent ledger that makes it impossible for corruption to happen in either the imperial institutions or in the corporations. Once it gets big enough we can then push it onto the other noble families. To make sure they're actually paying their taxes and aren't funding you know a 2nd Civil War or a coup. Of course we can make it so sort of specific thing has a loop hole so Nightshayd can function with their black book ops. But it'll make massively easier for us to catch corruption or tax evasion. And there will only be very few people using the loop hole so it'll be easier to monitor that. Even if it's just us looking the other way for Nightshayd. Plus Nightshayd can just use cash (Aka credits) to hide money.

>>5979640

>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.

This seems like as good a time as any.

>The strategic information from the scouting expedition in Vrakak space!

Uh oh

>>5979640
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
>>5979641
>The strategic information from the scouting expedition in Vrakak space!
Sorry sis, possible invasion first

>>5979917
I say more like an auditing body that investigates suspect companies for crimes but I don't want no pencil necked, rules lawyering nerd going "erm akshually" over the shoulders of businessmen. Basically: act like the police or an intelligence agency and not some redundant bureaucratic department department. This goes into my desire for an intelligence agency instead of have Houses... the Houses would be rightfully disproportianately represented given their experience and training but it would all go directly under the direction of the Emperor.

>>5979640
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.
We can get others to manage the specifics.

>>5979641
>The final results of your sister Lydia's secret project!

>>5979641
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
If it's just formalizing things it shouldn't hurt.
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.

>The final results of your sister Lydia's secret project!

>>5979640
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.

>>5979641
>The strategic information from the scouting expedition in Vrakak space!

>>5979641
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.

>The strategic information from the scouting expedition in Vrakak space!

>>5979640
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
Don't bother with the corp reform, they're not causing any trouble yet and if we need to a successor can always take on that burden.

>The final results of your sister Lydia's secret project!
Mystery box!

>>5979984
I have a feeling trusting the houses too much will come back to bite us later on.

>>5979640
>Appoint an official to keep an eye on Crown Corp. They'll be assisted by infiltrators from House Uvar and House Heinrich, to ensure that it remains dutiful. Of course, this would only formalize what's already been happening.
>Impact Corps across the Empire, rather than Crown Corp alone. This will require major reforms and merits a significant degree of thought. Not the worst thing to focus on as your reign nears its final days, but you never were one for finances.
We should probably make the framework for a sort of corporatist/state capitalist model or at least make it so that we have more influence over the corps themselves.

>>5979641
>The final results of your sister Lydia's secret project!
This probably won't win but it's been teased too many times to make me curious.

Main hope here is that we do a corp reform while also trying in House Uvar more.

>>5979641
QM sorry if this has been asked before but does the Empire have a single currency?

>>5979642
>>5979655
>>5979749
>>5979760
>>5979764
>>5979780
>>5979794
>>5979918
>>5979964
>>5979993
>>5980002
>>5980005
>>5980017
>>5980365
>>5980422
You surmise that it would be worth placing an overseer from House Heinrich over Crown Corp, to keep them on the straight-and-narrow. You also feel that Corps are a potential malignancy in their current state, and resolve to curb or regulate their influence. Though you are incredibly curious to see what your sister Lydia has done after so many years, you are more concerned by the imminent danger of the Vrakaks. You inform them as much, and the first messenger quietly weeps. Or at least, looks like he's thinking about it, with the dejected expression on him. Oh well.

The second messenger steps forward with a grin, hands you a holo-tape, and explains that the sender is currently undergoing thorough decontamination procedures, to ensure no verminous diseases are at risk of spreading on Mars. The detachment of Imperial Naval vessels that undertook the scouting mission was led by Caleb, an avowed loyalist to the throne whose father was a known veteran against the Vrakaks under the Federation of Uvarth. This Caleb ventured into Vrakak space and was quickly outmanuevered and encircled by one Vrak fleet, but thought quickly and, using his rudimentary grasp of the Vrak tongue, convinced them that he was sent by the Empire to see firsthand how much better Vrakak ships were than the Federation's. Against the odds, playing to their egos worked, and the captain was enable to finesse himself from a mere scouting operation into an entirely one-sided cultural exchange.

File: Vrak Fighter.png (20 KB, 1000x900)

20 KB PNG

>>5980610
Caleb has lived as an outsider among the Vrakak Clans, touring the Conclave for just over a decade now. In that time, he has gathered a wealth of data and managed to not only avoid any casualties among his men, but convinced the Vrakak of the Empire's non-hostile intentions. This is, of course, fictitious, as the Major Houses and Corps alike have long viewed their kind in with contempt. You review the accumulated trove of information immediately.

The Vrakaks are an omnivorous species that subsist on a variety of tubers and mushrooms, supplemented by charred meat, often decayed beforehand. Like Mankind, they are mammals and the only known spacefaring species to share the broad taxonomy of Man. The similarities between both end there.

The Vrakaks, or Vrak singular, have a rapid life-cycle and their population undergoes frequent periods of surging and collapsing. Each is capable of reproducing by the end of their first decade and reaches elderly status by the end of their fourth, though most die years beforehand. Their gestation period is six months with an average of two per litter, sometimes three, occasionally more, though rarely one. These young are able to perform basic labour in a matter of two years and reach physical self-reliance in six. They are so fecund that, like the rabbits of old Earth, uterine cancer is one of their most frequent causes of death and many are spayed after their fifth or sixth litter.

As has been noted by the Empire in the past, the Vrakak lack consistent focus and are in a constant, energetic state that Mankind can only replicate through heavy stimulants. While this renders them less efficient at straightforward tasks, they are far from mindless and cannot be underestimated. The typical Vrak learns at a dizzying rate and retains most of what they take in. Consequently, most have a broad, versatile skillset and there's little division of labour, with every Vrak expected to work where needed or to pick it up on the job, often moments after another Vrak dropped it without warning to pursue something else.

>>5980612
Further, the vermin are immensely apt at quickly coordinating and improvising amongst themselves. Any handful of Vrakaks will, within minutes, put together a crude hierarchy and begin working toward an arbitrary goal. It's suspected that their dunbar's number is considerably higher than Mankind's or, more likely, they have little-to-no barrier toward working closely with total strangers, so long as their clan structure is upheld. Permanent positions are quite rare and their "society," such as it is, exists in a constant state of flux. Their most central unit is that of the clan, with Vrakaks widely refusing to acknowledge any higher authority.

Even the smallest of these clans consists of dozens of Vrakak, and the largest can reach numbers exceeding fifty-thousand. Membership in them is fluid and largely boils down to whoever stays or goes. Despite this, they have a violent loyalty to their chosen clan and frequently skirmish with and raid others for territory or resources. Infighting is also common, in times of famine, and the Vrakak themselves are one of the likeliest causes of any Vrak's death. These clans are invariably gerontocracies, as Vrak slow down some with age and younger Vrakak lack the patience to govern. If any Vrak lives long enough, they'll inevitably end up in a managerial position by dint of gradually spending more and more of their time coordinating their offspring and being acknowledged as having the expertise to do so.

By all rights, such an anarchic species shouldn't have reached beyond the neolithic period, but there are several key factors driving their advancement. First, the Vrakaks prefer to integrate smaller clans over exterminating them, and surrenders to larger clans are a matter of course, just as breakaways are. Second, they claim a firm grasp of trade and are linked together by a frantic, intricate barter economy that continues with almost no regard to interclan dynamics. Third, a curious property of the Vrak brain allows for selective trauma to induce a lifelong hyperfocus on almost any subject, once the vacant lobotomite is coaxed into it. These and the ceaseless pressure of manic competition allowed the vermin to slowly accumulate the knowledge base necessary for a spacefaring society.

>>5980616
The Vrakaks aren't impressive physical specimens by any measure. Held against Humans, they are diminutive, weak, and flimsy, and lack any degree of discipline whatsoever. To contrast, their reflexes are nearly twice faster, their senses (with the exception of sight, where both species are at parity) are notably keener, and they have almost no fear in battle, though this is less due to any courage and more a lack of thought toward the risks involved. Any imperial soldier, properly trained and equipped, is able to match any two hostile Vrakaks with ease, and this ratio only multiplies at the squad level. The problem is that Vrakak swarms usually have five Vrak to one Man, if not more.

Their ability to survive on less than half of the rations and eagerness to tolerate miserable conditions worsens the problem. Attrition warfare is almost untenable against them. If the Vrakak are left to be for any amount of time, they'll entrench themselves, start digging out sprawling tunnels, and reproduce like mad until their warcamp has turned into a frontline settlement. In their reconquest of the frontier, after a mere handful of years, the Federation of Uvarth was forced to siege whole fledgling colonies of the vermin that sprung up during earlier stages of the war.

The Conclave of Vrakak Clans, the only overarching government of their society, exists largely to facilitate wider expansion, negotiate peace agreements between its constituents, and track the population as well as its needs. Vrakak politics are divided into five major factions which have a number of clans under them. In broad order of influence, these are the Vrakuk, who believe outward expansion is the only worthwhile policy as it is in accordance with their instincts. The Vrek, who believe an internal focus and stricter reproduction controls are necessary for their future prosperity as a species. The Vravak, who believe non-Vrakak civilizations are threatening and must be opposed, as they have, for the most part, attempted to exterminate them in the past. The Vrauk, who believe more frequent raiding and denser trading are ideal, as this allows for the greatest exchange of wealth and ideas. And lastly, the Vreuk, who believe non-violent coexistence with non-Vrakak civilizations should be attempted, as it hasn't been tried before.

>>5980617
The Vrakak currently inhabit 76 worlds, nearly twenty of which are newly settled and analogous to the Empire's frontiers. The clan factions are evenly spread among them, but the defeat against the Federation of Uvarth has seen Vrek thought rise to prominence. It's projected to overake the Vrakuk in popularity some time in the next thirty-to-forty years, possibly resulting in a civil war or shift in their focus. As the Vrakak invasion against the Federation of Uvarth occurred sixty years ago, it is already beyond living memory, six of their generations into the past, and old history, by their reckoning.

They already consider House Heinrich to be a fairly ancient ruling dynasty, and House Vonduul is quite obscure among them. Their understanding of older imperial history is almost wholly absent. The Vrakak are widely belligerent toward the Empire and feel Humanity are too decisive, long-lived, and patient to be trusted. At the same time, they're of the (in your opinion, correct) assessment that Human goods are superior, and the desire to seize them is one of the more common motivations behind Vrakak raids.

By Caleb's estimation, there are many teeming billions of Vrakaks among their space, contrasted by around five billion, if not more Humans, the victims of past raids and invasions, stripped of higher technology and reduced to a primitive state, scattered throughout their planets in isolated enclaves. The Vrakak find Humans too tedious to directly manage and leave them to their own devices, aside from setting resource quotas that they're inconsistently pillaged for. This is a tragic and ignominious state of affairs.

The Vrakak's naval assets are a subject of some concern. After their defeat against the Federation of Uvarth, during which they lost over half of their armada, the vermin have dedicated their four bustling shipyards to rebuilding. Six Vrakak fleets are operational, with a seventh set to emerge within half a decade. Rather than the balanced, heavily-armed approach of Mankind's Mars-pattern vessels, the Vrakak designs vary wildly, even from ship-to-ship, but have a handful of universal trends. Vrakak-class vessels (as there's not enough consistency for any one pattern) are highly modular, made to standards the Empire wouldn't tolerate outside of the cheapest of the cheap, and view defensive shielding as an afterthought. They tend to prize speed and in many cases, opt to eschew cannons for hangars to field wings of bombers and fighters. In previous conflicts, their craft have been nimbler than should have been possible, but this may be due to Vrak reaction speeds rather than any particular technology.

>>5980620
The Empire has performed exceptionally well against the Vrakak in the past, which is why its current borders are free from their kind, but the past has passed. House Vonduul is no more and House Heinrich has yet to be tried and tested against alien hostiles. It would be a dire mistake to underestimate a potential enemy, no matter the weaknesses inherit to their genome. Caleb suspects their full naval capacity could be as many as a dozen fleets, possibly more if the Vrakuk seized control and they were pushed into an expansionist frenzy.

It is the scout's opinion that an invasion by the vermin isn't an imminent danger, but the possibility cannot be ignored. In the same measure, the threat of a large raid against the frontier is very real and he suspects your successor has a nearly half-and-half chance to be faced by one during his reign. Caleb theorizes that there may be Vrakaks in distant stars that have lost contact with the wider Conclave, as their species has been spacefaring for some four millennia now, but lack the centralization or reliable record-keeping to be aware of any past expeditions. Near the end of the holo-tape, he hopes this isn't true, and admits it may be paranoia.

You are rather impressed by the man's success. Especially as you didn't expect anything to come of the scouting to begin with.

What should be done with Caleb?

>Nothing, as his tactics demonstrated little true naval skill.
>Put in a good word for him with his superiors in the navy.
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
>Promote him to an admiral, as you have the authority to do so.

Now that you've gathered a vast range of data on the Vrakaks, your opinion of them has evolved.

What are your thoughts on the Conclave of Vrakak Clans?

>They are a scourge that must be eradicated for the good of Mankind, either as a species or a civilization.
>They are vermin that must be pacified before they pose a greater danger to their Human superiors.
>They are savages that wouldn't be worth the Empire's effort, if not for their unfounded and feral hostilities.
>They are subhuman but could be of some use to the Empire, if properly subdued and controlled.
>They are mammals and by their commonalities to Humanity, worthy of some limited, token respect.
>They are all of these things and more, and must be dealt with in time.

>>5980612
Wonder if we can just introduce some STDs to them and see what happens

>>5980621
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
He didn't show any real naval skills but he has proven that he is pretty talented and has given us invaluable information so he deserves a high reward for this.

>They are all of these things and more, and must be dealt with in time.
They will do great in plantations

>>5980621
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
>Put in a good word for him with his superiors in the navy.
He has shown that he is worthy. Almost want to say we should put him in House Heinrich.


>They are a scourge that must be eradicated for the good of Mankind, either as a species or a civilization.

>>5980621
>Put in a good word for him with his superiors in the navy.
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
>They are all of these things and more, and must be dealt with in time.

This update should've come sooner than it did, but I've been a bit distracted helping my brother and a couple of his friends proofread their final essays for their composition night-class. That and typing is tricky on mobile, but I'm using an app to keep the text saved rather than doing it in the post itself alone. I'm going to go through and address every question I've been asked, please, let me know if I missed yours.

>>5978610
>>5979549
Thank you very much, this was a lot of help with the update.

>>5978504
There have been many thousands of attempts at exploration, few of which found anything of substance, and hundreds of settlements, none which lasted longer than a century or grew to more than a million embittered colonists.

>>5978602
He has not, not yet.

>>5978822
I mentioned it in passing in thread #2 and elaborated further in thread #3, in the list of historically significant Emperors. The 3rd dynasty, House Geddu's embrace of unshackled AI and unrestricted gene-editing led to a series of uprisings by renegade thinking machines and several aberrant offshoot species. The gene wars culminated in an Empire-defining struggle between pro-humanists, who sought to perfect humanity through the refinement of noble bloodlines, and various post-humanists, who sought to reject humanity for the sake of improvement. In the end, one side levied cataclysmic weapons against old Earth- which varies by the telling- but the tactical momentum (or, depending on which you subscribe to, vengeful fury) allowed the pro-humanists to repulse their enemies.

House Geddu was exterminated for its crimes and to this day, the Empire holds a visceral taboo toward unshackled A.I. and in-theory, gene-editing that attempts to surpass or subvert rather than enhance nature, but in-practice, almost all human gene-editing is lumped into the same category. The fall of old Earth and end of House Geddu left the Empire's resolve in shambles, and set the stage for House Sendai to ascend as the 4th dynasty and implement their ideal of Harmonism. Most scholars blame the resulting atrocities committed against the treasuries and dignity of the various noble houses on the aftermath of the gene wars, but House Sendai is no less reviled for placing the common masses above the enlightened nobility.

>>5980481
The Empire does not have a single, centralized currency. The official coinage is the imperial credit which is used for many interstellar transactions and in House Heinrich's territory, but most noble houses have their own petty currencies, the Corps all pay in company scrip where they can, and a majority of the Empire's worlds have their own, local legal tenders. This is a substantial headache for record-keepers but moneychangers are thriving. So far, it isn't a pressing problem but does represent a lack of economic efficiency.

>>5980621
>>5980661
+1

>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.
>They are subhuman but could be of some use to the Empire, if properly subdued and controlled.

>>5980621
>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar.

>They are a scourge that must be eradicated for the good of Mankind, either as a species or a civilization.

I say we try to bait them into raiding us by leaking the fact there will be a fat convoy of goods going to x frontier world on their border. We lie in wait with Rangers any volunteers and the imperial army. Kill them all then use that as a propaganda campaign to push for the righteous invasion and purging of the varakaks.

Makes the empire look good! We can even spin it that they have humans as slaves and we must liberate our brothers.

Though I highly suggest we make some diplomacy peace deals towards the kingdom so they get stuck in bullshit trade/peace deals while we mop the verakaks up.

1 question qm can we use their infrastructure or not? If not I vote we just glass their planets. If so I say we try to glass everything but important infrastructure such as technology/production capabilities and their space ports.

>>5980725
>+ I didn't see it at the time but I'll support the idea of seeding them with a STD so they die. Probably some some for of the clap or HPV. That should kill them pretty good. Maybe we do a couple different ones.

>>5980621

>Induct him into one of the noble houses, likely House Uvar

Pat him on the back!

>They are vermin that must be pacified before they pose a greater danger to their Human superiors.

Our father wouldn’t want them to be exterminated totally…

>>5980621
>Promote him to an admiral, as you have the authority to do so.
>They are all of these things and more, and must be dealt with in time.
Really there’s only two internal factions that are defacto bad for us: The Vrakak and the Vrauk. The other two are are in our favor.