Allow me to address your concerns.

Section 2:E. This is a measure which is designed to assure that worlds are unable to present fire which could be damaging to our own Imperial fleet. A Venator, downgraded to a defensive ship would have the following weapons:

Single Turbolaser Turret (8)
Medium dual turbolaser cannons (2)
Point-defense laser cannons (52)
Tractor beam projectors (6)
Heavy proton torpedo tubes (4)

With a fighter compliment of:

ARC-170 Fighters (4)
Alpha-3 Nimbus-class V-wing or V-19 Torrent starfighters (20)

Gentlemen, even so downgraded, this offers a vessel of immense power, which has the ability to provide all the defensive fire that could ever be needed by a world to repel any aggressors. However, this vessel is now relegated to the role of an anti-piracy vessel, it could never challenge a true capital-class starship in battle.

This is an important modification.. what if (and I hope this never happens in reality) a rebel was able to gain control over such a vessel? Or a Pirate? And it was unmodified.. it could cause a significant problem before our benevolent fleet was able to destroy it and assure the common security. We must reduce the risks to the Imperial Fleet and the Empire, while allowing for planetary defence.. I would highlight that this is why Provision 2 Section E is important.

The last thing we would wish for would be for rebels to be able to abscond with a fully armed capital ship or for such ships to follow a world in rebellion.

Now, with regards to section 5.

Section 5 is also important. Why should a world be allowed to maintain an aggressive fleet? Surely the only reason for any worlds fleet is to provide for the defence of its people.. not to be launching assaults outside its jurisdiction. As such, strategically placed space stations, with suitable fighter compliments are the ideal defensive set up, and one which satisfies the requirement for the planets defence and also the common defence. It is wholly inappropriate that worlds should maintain an aggressive force.

Before the argument that "pirates must be pursued" is made, I would highlight that piracy outside of a system is a Sector matter, and it is the role of a Sector Governor, not for an Individual World to pursue and cope with pirates outside of planets jurisdiction.

Another point I'd like to raise, would be that the Senate is expected to approve the sale of our outdated vessels to planetary defense forces; these new rules would, surely, hinder such efforts?

I'm not here to try and counter your well-intentioned act, I'd just like to hear your viewpoint on this before I cast my vote, Senator Oriel.

We must assure that while the Imperial Treasury is boosted by the sale of these ships, that it is not at too great of an expense to the shipwright industry, for if we do not see work is channelled to them, then we risk technological innovation becoming bogged down and risk never advancing technologically.

The possibility of rebels coming to control a ship is unlikely, but even so remains possible. Consider that even recently we have seen former Senator Organa rebel.. if one of our own Senators defects in such a heinous manner, then it is perfectly possible that a ships Captain could misguide or fool his crew into acting as a rebellion, aboard a ship, a Captain has a very large amount of power, and so it is logical to restrict his ability to act in the event he did decide to rebel.

I would also highlight that there is no Pirate or Mercenary threat that this vessel could not counter, where a fully armed vessel could., we are talking about disorganised mercenaries and pirates, not an organised foe, as such vessels do not need to be armed to fight an organised modern military.

And even if there was a modern military threatening the world.. each Sector has a prodigious military, equipped at the expense of the Imperial Purse.. It would be an insult to them to call worlds inadequately defended from such threats.

The Important point to raise is that a world should not have the ability to act against another Imperial member unilaterally, and this act will prevent acts of aggression which risk other worlds and the Empire itself. A world has the right to maintain its own defence, not to maintain forces for attack..

This measure would not conflict with your own measures Senator Lohden, but add more regulations to it, and help in the good governance and protection of worlds. I can see no point on which the two acts would clash? But if I am wrong please enlighten me.

I am in complete agreement that no world should have the ability or the means to assault another member world, but the dire fact remains that not all worlds are yet Imperial worlds. There are any number of planetary systems out there which have yet to come under the Imperial banner, and this act could be the stepping stone they're waiting for to claim more territory and ignite conflicts and system defections that we frankly do not need.

I would be more in favour of the Imperial Navy simply assuming command of all planetary defense forces, rather than go through the time, effort and expenditure of stripping back and heavily modifying fully capable vessels. I'm afraid I'll have to withhold my vote for the time being, until I'm swayed either way.

It is the role of the Imperial Government or Sector Government to conduct operations against non-Imperial members. Should such a treat emerge, I am fully confident that the Imperial Navy would combat such a threat, and explicitly it should not be the role of a planetary military to combat threats from outside of the Empire. We are proposing no cut that would seriously effect the planetary fleets ability to combat any threat.

A world could surround itself with as many defensive snubfighter squadrons, defence platforms, planetary weapons, minefields, monitor vessels.. etc as it wishes.. simply not hyperspace capable behemoths of destruction.. this is a proposal to strengthen defence, to strengthen worlds and to encourage them to channel money into weapon systems that will work in collaboration with your boosted ground forces, rather than ones which would be able to leave them undefended (for whatever reasons).

A hyperspace capable capital ship is no better for defence than a non hyperpsace capable one.. A hyperdrive allows the vessel only the ability to leave the system, and leave the world it is "defending" undefended and weakened.

So, as you can see, my act promotes your own bill, coercing worlds towards defensive and sensible policies, and discouraging adventurism and irresponsible militaries which only risk those they seek to protect.

Next, as for the turbo lasers, yes these ships are incredibly powerful behemoths but so are many of the threats we have faced in the past. And systems or planets should be allowed to maintain a mobile fleet for the purpose that attacks and battles aren't static but continuously fluid. If for instance the people of Volus of a pirate operating base nearby our system we would likely inform the empire but if none of their ships were available we would take care of it ourselves, but with your measure not only would the primary weapons of our ship have to be removed but would also dampen that ability to protect our own system from attacks be it through a early response or taking the fight to the enemy themselves.

This is a dangerous galaxy, although the dangers are greatly mitigated by the Empire and its massive armada there are still grave dangers out there and planets should be allowed to maintain their defenses. Instead perhaps of removing portions of our ships we should instead lay down consequences in case a member world attacks another. Such as potential blockade of their planet and ejection from this body."

First off, the vessels being sold off to planetary defense forces are rapidly hitting the outdated stages, if they have not already. The Imperial Navy is producing better and improved snubfighters and capital ships on a daily basis. The older models simply cannot compare. As such, the issue of stripping weapons is moot. Besides, who is to say they would be sold back to the Empire? A truly rebellious world might well put them to more sinister use.

As for rippng out the hyperdrives? Again, pointless. What if one of our esteemed neighboing planets neds rapid aid that can be provided by one of us quicker than the Imperial Starfleet? Point.

Finally, you seem to put more faith in insurgets than the Imperial Navy. I feel ou well-equipped naval forces can more than aptly deal with any threat.

Milliardo Peacecraft
Representative, Garos IV