Sir, the Moff Council has shown us once more both its zealotry and its cowardice with its recent, shameful assault on the planet Dantooine. Let us, first, not mistake that it is shameful because it is an attack on the New Republic (indeed, we must all be wary of the Republic and dedicated ultimately to its dissolution), but rather, it is shameful for its conduct, and for its wanton slaughter of the innocent; man, woman and child alike. Let it be known, on the occasion of this assault, that the Moff Council represents the Empire at its worst, and the Pentastar Alignment, conversely, is the Empire at its best.

Indeed, when was it that our Empire began to lose the favor and the obedience of its people, who thus began the Rebellion against it? It was exactly when the Empire replaced its rule by right with rule by fear. The Ghorman massacre, the destruction of Caamas, and Alderaan; these did not bring law and order to the Empire, rather, it brought about disobedience and disorder. For killing a man is no means to his allegiance.

Yet, this is the tired philosophy of the Moff Council, crass and uncompromising in its adherence to a flawed past. Simply put, the Council of Moffs looks to the past, in fear of losing their power. In contrast, Sir, you have spoken often and eloquently on the need to embrace the future with courage and pragmatism. The Pentastar patriot does not look backward, but rather forward, confident that the Empire's best days are ahead, not behind. The Pentastar Alignment assures its citizens freedom from disorder, freedom from want, and freedom from diversity.

And make no mistake; the Pentastar Alignment fights the Republic in defense of these ideals, but it does so man to man, not man against woman and child. If "Emperor" Gemmell could have taken Dantooine this week, then let him have taken it, and won it with the might of his fleet and more importantly, the might of his ideals. But nay, he has neither, and he will win no supporters on Dantooine by raining fire upon their families and their fields. What is accomplished, then, at Dantooine? Nothing. It is destruction for destruction's sake.

Wilhuff Tarkin was a fine and brilliant man, and a credit to his homeworld, but on certain matters (namely "rule by fear") he was wrong, and he and the Empire paid the price. Our late leader and Tarkin's replacement, Ardus Kaine, understood this fact. Let it be said that there was never a man more loyal to the Empire than was Kaine, but he knew that loyalty to the Empire meant its preservation, and its preservation meant thinking critically and pragmatically abouts its flaws, and correcting them (and let us remember, also, that Moff Kaine would not have died were he not compelled into the service of the "reborn" Palpatine, and thus in service of the tired philosophy of the past).

But so it is that this Pentastar Alignment, which Kaine founded, has stood firm, in prosperity for seven years, and so it is that we shall perservere under your leadership, Moff Konig, as you embrace all of these ideals and reject those of the Moff Council. For we are the Pentastar Alignment; we are the Empire at its best, and the Moff Council is the Empire at its worst. That is the difference between us and them.

Respectfully,
Clive Winston Heller
Captain of the Marathon

Clive Winston Heller
Captain of the Marathon
The Galactic Empire