To begin, Druckenwell is home to a capital-class shipyard, as well as a BlastTech manufacturing plant and several other large industries. I would like to see these industries work to provide assistance for those within the New Republic. While our world may seem as if its primary industry is warfare, I would disagree heartily. Instead, I prefer to think of Druckenwell as a shining contributor towards the safety and security of the New Republic. My concern for security is high, which is why I have pledged my own fleet in Druckenwell's defense until a suitable amount of vessels can be produced to take their place.

I have some few thoughts concerning the Remnant. The Council of Moffs and the Pentastar Alignment strike me as the desperate attempts of a fading regime to hang on to the final vestiges of glory in the face of an overwhelming opposition. Nonetheless, as any creature or being backed into a corner, they have little to lose and much to gain. The Remnant must be approached with caution and care, for they are like as not to show themselves as unpredictable enemies.

For the Jedi, I have little to say. The Jedi and I have not always seen eye to eye. They are more than welcome to train and do their best to see good in every sentient and attempt to influence the order of things. For myself, I prefer to see what is real and tangible in front of me. It is for this reason that I am applying as Senator and not going forth to the Jedi Temple and asking for admittance.

My background files, as you have pointed out, good Senator, are indeed lacking. I have not served in a public manner for Alliance or, as you call it, the New Republic. If anything, you might say I have had dealings with the Old Republic, specifically in my time serving with the former Confederacy of Independent Systems. Before objections are raised, let me say this: the Confederacy was formed in two manners. The first was with a decent, albeit ill-guided method in mind of ridding the Old Republic of the corruption that had weighed it down for so long. Alas, it was a failed endeavor. The reason behind this failure was the workings of Chancellor Palpatine, who, as you well know, later rose to Emperor. My time spent amongst the Confederacy involved me primarily with the late and likely unlamented Count Dooku of Serenno. It is from the Count that the majority of my experience had come.

The Acherin Resolution struck me as an honorable movement. The freedom of any group in the name of equality is something I stand very firmly for, especially considering the alleged offenses of the Acherin government against its people. As with Druckenwell, I believe all citizens of the galaxy should have the right to chose freedom over tyranny, even if they opt to not join with the New Republic.

There is a slight problem in my eyes as to the execution of the Resolution. While it is commendable that Brentaal, Neimoidia and the Intergalactic Mining Corporation have seen fit to act instead of waiting (thereby possibly saving lives and assuring that the New Republic gains an additional ally in the form of the people of Acherin), I would say there are dangers as well. By jumping the gun and not allowing the New Republic to extend diplomacy, we have, I feel, lowered ourselves to the level of the Remnant; ready to jump at a perceived enemy before full proof and justification can be found.

I admire your zest, Senator Cambrist. I admire your willingness to get your hands dirty if the need arises. I cannot speak for Brentaal, nor can I speak for the Intergalactic Mining Corporation, for I confess I know little of their methods. Meaning no slight to the honorable Senator Kruus or the citizens of Neimoidia, I would not feel comfortable if Neimoidia or the Trade Federation were in sole control of the blockade. I have seen the effects that the Trade Federation have had upon a planet before and I would not wish to see such again.

While I feel that Druckenwell is not threatened by the activities at Acherin, for, as part of my tenure as Senator, I plan to minimize loss of life by instituting mass production of combat-programmed droids to replace humans, I do intend to send my refit flagship, the Shattered Heel, to assess the blockade and render aid to citizens. I do not, however, intend to assault any of Acherin's armed forces, at least until I have a better sense of what is going on.

I do not wish my first appointment as Druckenwell's senator to be committing us to an act of war.

Jericho Novak, Druckenwell

Exar Ray
Senator of Dantooine

I will humbly submit to any background checks necessary.

Let me say, Senator Forte, that it is an honor to meet a surviving member of the former Confederacy of Independent Systems. I can only assume that in our younger and more hotheaded days, we both supported a group that sought to destroy this noble body in which we serve. Perhaps we can, in the near future, meet together and discuss old times.

- Jericho Novak, Druckenwell

To begin, Chairman Fitzgerald, I am, as the Jedi have informed you, a Sith. This is not to say I hid this matter. I took steps to inform the Jedi, knowing they would, in turn, inform you. I believed it to be a better course of action to allow them to bring it up first before I spoke of it. During the Clone Wars, I was trained by Darth Tyranus and Darth Sidious (if I may use the names they chose to adopt), going as far as to say that I might well have become the next apprentice to Darth Sidious if certain events had not taken place.

This is where I come to answer your question as well, Senator Cambrist. The fleet of which I speak of was given under my command by Darth Sidious and meant to assist in his false capture on Coruscant by the late General Grievous. As I have found, my fate was instead to be sealed into a cryo-tube and frozen while the droid-operated fleet assisted in the attack, only to be ultimately destroyed with me on board.

It is a turn of luck that I am here. The fleet of which I speak was, at some point, originally property of the Old Republic, save for the battle-droids on board and the starfighters that have been upgraded with droid brains. I will not that in my talks with Planetary Governor Ryuun, one of the conditions of my application as Senator of Druckenwell was to pledge my fleet in Druckenwell (and the New Republic's) interest. I have no reservations in this matter.

Chief of State Fitzgerald, I will say the Sith have had a bad name for many eons. This is not unearned, I will admit. I do not think of myself as a member of the old Sith, who believed in death, destruction and chaos of all types. I am not here to undermine the authority of any being and I do not wish to start a second Empire. I simply disagree with the Jedi on a number of principles. I spoke to them honestly, not hiding the fact, for I wish no subversion. Is it wrong for me to believe that not all means can come without bloodshed? Is it wrong of me to be willing to use the Force more quickly towards solving a problem than the Jedi method of talking and working things through? There are times when it can be detrimental. If the Jedi of the former Republic had been more proactive, perhaps there never would have been an Empire.

I ask you not to judge me by the title of Sith. I ask instead, that you judge me by my actions in support of the New Republic against the Remnant, for the good of all peoples.

-Jericho Novak, Druckenwell

When it comes to assurances, what can I say? The Senate has not asked anything of me yet. I could hardly shake on it and assume a sentient being's word is his or her bond. Words can be broken. Therefore, I still await the will of the Senate.

- Jericho Novak, Druckenwell

Exar Ray
Senator of Dantooine

Nonetheless, I am willing to register my vessels under the New Republic laws, as I had every intention on doing when I applied for the position of Senator. I will ask, however, what is implied in this investigation? I am hardly hiding any bodies on board my ships.

-Jericho Novak, Druckenwell

Exar Ray
Senator of Dantooine

Moving on to the other matter you requested. There are several problems with what you request. Originally, Senator Ray, my fleet was larger by two Acclamator cruisers. One was badly damaged and, as such, stripped for parts and fired upon to destroy what was left. The second, which happened to hold the navigation computer that kept the fleet in hyperspace for so long, lost control and most of it burned up on entry into Tatooine's orbit. If it is wreckage you seek, it lies at the edge of the Dune Sea.

For the ships I do possess, I am more than willing to share charts, though I doubt many are new to the New Republic. Most of the information I have was the same as used by the former Confederacy of Independent Systems.

-Jericho Novak, Druckenwell