Video - 004 - How You Like Me Now?

[iceheart_imperial]

[Her excitement has been growing, the past few days. Events are finally moving, and with that comes a significant thrill. So far it's all been a game of shadows, her real objectives clouded and hidden. Even her subordinates have no idea - none whatsoever. But there is a grand design, and even by her high standards she's proud of it. Accumulating influence, accumulating capital - these were a necessary Phase One but hardly challenging. To someone who had managed a galactic economy, figuring out investment for the United States was an afternoon's distraction. Discarding habits of a lifetime, now...that was more her style of challenge.]

[It was time for Ysanne Isard 2.0, as they put it here - no stupid coup, no insurrection or suborning of the government. No violence of any sort, as it happened. The United States was, for her at least, very much the land of opportunity. Two thrusts, and one began today.]

[When the camera turned on, she was all business, leaning against her desk with arms folded. But there were signs, for those that knew how to look. For a start, the lighting of her office, the camerawork was very clearly professionally handled. The second was she was in her red uniform - though with an American eagle where Imperial rank bars would usually go. Official, but with a visible allegiance.]

Well good morning to everybody. A couple of items of housekeeping to attend to today, but I promise some of it will be exciting news for everyone.

First of all, a number of my employees sent me a letter asking me to pass on specific congratulations to one of my investment clerks, Eric Goldmann and his wife Nancy, on the birth of their daughter, Hannah. I believe the appropriate phrase is Mazel Tov.

Which brings me to my next point. We'll be doing some reorganizing in the upcoming month. For a start, the overarching structure will be reorganized into Isard Industries, and we'll be starting up a public investment firm in addition to the work we've been doing privately, alongside the agency. My employees, every last one of you, has performed magnificently - so I'm happy to announce that I've spoken to your representatives about ensuring that these are fully unionized workplaces. I know it's not a common thing, here - but you'll have management's full backing in creating a partnership with labor that benefits us all.

[And now, it's time to move on. And the song that's been in her head the last few days comes back to her. She'd heard it, randomly, on the radio and it had stuck with her. It got the blood flowing. And after the small ripples, now was the time to throw the big rock in the pond.]

And as some of you may know, we had a major announcement in Washington yesterday. Press packets will be available on our website when I finish up here.

[She stands tall, her pride clear. Time to confound her enemies, even those who don't know they are yet. And thank you Darth Nox for riling her up - it had caused her not just anger but prompted her to re-arrange the board.]

The Empire I once called home had much that needed to change. Over the coming months, as its sole representative [No question about who has the authority here. How you like me now?] I will ensure that change comes to pass. This is a land of opportunity, of second chances - and I will bring you the best of my universe, to make our shared world a better place. As a result, in partnership with the United States government, we are launching the Galactic Training Corps Program - bringing the finest in Imperial training in peacekeeping and counter-insurgency tactics to the aid of the American military.

[An image flashes onto the screen, and it is very clearly an idealized image of an Imperial stormtrooper, standing next to the Imperial symbol surmounted by the American eagle. Images that follow from the roll-out feature a man and a woman in mock-up armor standing with high-ranking military personnel. Everyone is all smiles. This is expertly crafted propaganda, designed to appeal to American sentiments.]

I'll be providing the start-up cash and the training, with command and control of course resting with American authorities. We hope this partnership flourishes in the coming months, and the program is open to American military personnel of any branch in the service, of any gender. We hope to see the best of you, and give you our best in return - for the commonly-held future.

[She smiles, her attitude a mixture of pride and patriotism for her new land. Of course there's more to it than that. But it looks good, it sounds good. And so her Phase Two comes...to ensure against Sith power and declare herself - in her subtle way - an independent force to be reckoned with. Darth Nox had posited that they shared enemies, in essence that they served the same cause. But they didn't. And she would never play the servant again.]

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to growth and opportunity with all of you.

[How you like me now?]