Grand Vizier In a frankly astonishing lapse, Senator Oriel (a prominent loyalist and Imperial idealogue in the Senate) has been arrested in a very public ceremony in front of the Senate after this afternoon's session.
While I do not know the specific reason for these charges, I find it frankly obnoxious that the Director of Imperial Intelligence presumes to arrest members of the Senate in such a public and crass manner. A single operative visiting the Senator's residence would have been more than sufficient, and would have done considerably less to threaten the overall spirit of Imperial Loyalty fostered in the Senate.
It seems likely we will now be faced by outrage within the Senate (publically and privately) which threatens good order and stability.
Sources inform me that it is likely that Senator Oriel was arrested for his speeches concerning the reidiculous allegations of a "plague" of mental illness which Senator Lohden suggested might be infecting all who have visited Vjun in the past or are resident there now. My Department informs me that Senator Oriel did make statements that there were Imperial Intelligence apparatus based on Vjun (no great secret as Imperial Intelligence have agents or facilities on most, if not all, Imperial worlds.).
I have taken copies of Senator Oriel's statements with regard to Imperial Intelligence on Vjun.
"Vjun is already home to a significant Imperial Intelligence installation where it seems likely many operatives are based. As a world which presently plays host to many diverse branches of the Imperial State, we are always open to scrutiny from the Galactic Empire"
"In the past decade thousands of Imperial Personnel have passed through the Vjun installations, there have been no reported cases of the 'Vjun pestilence" amongst any of these."
Furthermore the Senator expresses that he is not privy to Imperial Intelligence documents, and aside from speaking to an Imperial Intelligence Officer (Master Agent Johnson) of the Bitter End Desk he would not appear to have much knowledge of the facilities on Vjun themselves.
These are statements it would be hard to convict Senator Oriel on the basis of, especially in an open court room.
Appearances are that there would be three options regarding Senator Oriel
1. Release and a statement that a misunderstanding took place at Imperial Intelligence.
This option would seem best, Senator Oriel is an individual with many years of heroic Imperial service, and is a useful tool of the Empire in the Senate. He represents a Senator selected for his loyalty to the Empire, also, his family has a history of usefulness to the Empire, with Senator Oriel's father serving as the Chamberlain to the Inquisitorius' facility on Vjun, Bast Castle.
2. Senator Oriel's trial on the charges made by the Director of Imperial Intelligence.
I would highlight the manifold difficulties with this option, it would be extremely hard to try a Senator without details becoming circulated to the media by various means.
While a closed trial could be arranged to come to the conclusions of Imperial Intelligence, it is a massive risk that we would alienate much of the Senate, encourage rebellion and dissent etc. A "fair" trial would naturally give Oriel an unconditional discharge, but this would make the Imperial Intelligence Branch look considerably more foolish than even Option 1 could, in addition to having a high cost.
3. Senator Oriel's death by extrajudicial means.
This would be difficult to do now that Senator Oriel has been arrested in public, in the full gaze of the galactic media. His death in custody would be noticed, and would do much to cause widespread dissent. His death after release would equally raise suspicions and turn individuals against us. This should especially be noted after the good director made an explicit threat of violence to the Senator in front of the Senate today when he had a squad of men target their weapons on the Senate, in the full gaze of the media.
I must heartily recommend Option 1 (with perhaps a warning to Senator Oriel if your honour sees it as needed) to yourself Grand Vizier (and you may have reached this decision before my letter). Senator Oriel is a loyal ally of the Empire, member of COMPNOR, prodigious legislator and one who is often able to sway the opinion of the Senate in favour of the good of the Empire.
We have invested a considerable amount of political and fiscal capital in assuring Senator Oriel reaches his present position, and he is a talented man, it would be a waste to cast him away for this trifling matter.
Equally, the ridiculous obtuseness of this matter in the eyes of the Galactic Media by the Director of Imperial Intelligence may be a matter for concern to you, and it seems that many areas of the Galactic Media are running this story now (which could have been avoided).
Yours Sincerely,
