While your measure is well intended, Senator Kuriyoshi, I fear it will upset a balance that is time tested, and proven. That is, planetary defense fleets are for precisely that purpose; defending planets. That, and tending to customs, interdiction, and so on, and defending that planet's people and property throughout the galaxy, too. This allows the Empire to do exactly what, I think, you intend it to do; operate its own Imperial fleets that can pursue rebels, pirates, terrorists, etc., and assist planetary defense forces on occasion. When necessary, these Imperial ships can be pooled together with regular, expeditionary Imperial fleets for the purposes that you've described, while planetary defense forces remain in place to defend themselves in the absence of those Imperial ships.

If, however, the conduct of planetary fleets is what concerns you, I would draw your attention to a measure I proposed some months ago (specifically Section 4, Articles 2 to 7) which guarantees that the Empire is able to quickly commandeer planetary ships if necessary, and imposes harsh penalties on those who do not comply. Another measure, proposed by our colleague, Senator Oriel, also ensures that planetary forces are adequately trained to be commandeered and integrated into Imperial fleets at a moment's notice, when needed. "When needed," though, is the key phrase. As long as the Empire expresses no need for additional ships—the Imperial starfleet is a mighty one, as are most Imperial sector fleets—then I feel planetary defense fleets should remain at their respective planets, to provide for their own defense. This is how it has historically been done.

I applaud your effort, but I am compelled to vote against your bill. I think you will find, though, considering the other laws I've mentioned, that this one may not be necessary.

While this may be appropriate for the Cronese Mandate, it is not appropriate for all planets. Certainly not for Brentaal, which has more strategic importance than all four hundred planets of the Cronese Mandate combined. Senators, Brentaal's fleet is needed on Brentaal, as your fleets are needed on your worlds. And for as long as these planetary fleets remain in place, and as long as worlds like Eriadu, Sluis Van, and Druckenwell continue to meet the Empire's demand for ships, the Empire is free to pursue our common enemies and, yes, to assist Imperial worlds too, if and when necessary (although, with all due respect, the idea that Brentaal's defenses will ever be "ruined" is a laughable one).

In closing, since the Senator mentions that the Cronese Mandate has a "Sector Fleet" similar to the one he proposes here, I am compelled to point out the obvious; the planets that comprise a Sector, such as those of the Cronese Mandate, can, if they so choose, sign treaties with one another providing for the mutual defense of one another—in other words, the formation of a "Sector Fleet," as the Senator proposes here. His proposal, however, would compel worlds to do so whether or not they choose to, and whether or not it is good or bad for a particular sector (each sector having wildly different demographics and, thus, different needs). It is also worthy of mention that everything the Senator proposes here can be done at the behest of a Sector Moff at any time he deems it necessary for his particular Sector. Once again, the point is necessity—as far as I know, the Empire has expressed no need for additional ships. Certainly not our ships.

A vote for this measure is a vote to strip innocent Imperial worlds of their defenses and leave them lying naked and helpless, at the cruel mercies of one another. That, and to place more and more demands on the time and resources of the Imperial fleet. It is simply not necessary, and it may prove disastrous. I doubt, for instance, that the so called "nothing worlds" of the Seswenna Sector that Senator Oswaldt discourteously derides would enjoy having to depend on Eriadu's support any more than Eriadu would enjoy supporting them. But that is indeed what this proposal would require.