Senator Oriel, while one would wish that it was as easy to simply do things in a matter of days, I find a need to remind you that we are talking about the Galaxy, travel can not occur within days across half the Outer Rim. Nor can the refitting of a vessel for use by another power, for that matter. I'm afraid this is your failing as a Senator, which is reasonable timing within your resolutions. Should my government had a month to prepare for and give the demanded reparation to Dantooine, which we are more than willing despite its unreasonable nature, it would be done. Giving us two days, however, is not only unreasonable, but border-line negligent. It is a clear indication that despite some calls to do so, Senator Oriel is unprepared for any Committee seating, let alone as the head of one... especially Defense.

Senator Oriel has clearly held a personal vendetta against former Senator Veritas since his opposition to the original, and now nullified, Capital Vessels Act, which can be seen on record. It can be seen in speech; and certainly in the numerous failed attempts to remove former Senator Veritas from his Chairmanship. This opposition has clearly translated into racism against the Deralian people as a whole. What prejudice Senator Oriel holds, exactly, I can not say. I am not Senator Oriel. However, the destruction and dismantlement of Deralia as a sovereign power, seems to be his goal. All that has been done by my government is action in its own self-defense. When our action was viewed as wrong, we gave our intelligence over to the Dantooine government. The reason why this was not done in the first place is clear now... the government of Dantooine will not, as it has not, deal with the terrorist groups operating out of their space. The entirety of our intelligence data was coaxed out of us by Senator Ray through promises of a cooperative effort to deal with this clear and present threat to Deralia, it's citizens, and other countless worlds of the Outer Rim, and perhaps deeper into Imperial space. Nothing has happened. Upon receipt of the intelligence, all channels with Dantooine were closed. We are left in the dark, and not a single thing has occurred on Dantooine to handle this threat.

Popularism will be the downfall of this Senate. Popularist movements have become rife on both sides of the political spectrum, and it is... in a word, pathetic. Pathetic, sad, and depressing. That people elected by entire sectors to come together and represent the entire galaxy in an open forum, merely to devolve into squabbling children is perhaps the saddest thing for a citizen of the Empire to witness. Just because one individual passes around an idea, most of the Senate wants to follow, not finding out the truth for themselves or learning the whole story. Too many are quick to flip their beliefs simply because someone seems reasonable, regardless of whether or not they are right or wrong. There was once a tyrant, who said of young adults, that they are "useful idiots". I plead with the Senator to not become useful idiots themselves, and continue to be a body of actual legislators. There are too many Senator Oriels, and the close-mindedness that comes with it, permeating the Senate... and even more sheep, yearning to be told what to think.

Twenty Deralian citizens were killed on Dantooine by their residence and business being set on fire. Three-hundred and sixty-two Deralian citizens were killed days later... not on foreign soil, but in their homes, their workplace. On one of the inhabited moons of Deralia, Celest, innocent civilians were subjected to orbital bombardment. We wished to give these victims justice... and we are the villain. We are the evil conquerors, we are the tyrants. Not those who killed innocent civilians, oh no. These individuals must be defended. These individuals must be protected. Why? I can find no reasonable or sane justification. A man wanting justice for his murdered people, loses his position of authority within the Senate and is derided as a criminal. An entire people are demonized, for invoking their given right to self-defense. Why? Again, no reasonable or sane justification exists.

It is apparent that this is all nothing more than a thinly veiled crusade against the Deralian people, due to nothing more than a man's vane pride. That is your sin, Senator Oriel. Pride. Pride which has caused you to damn an honest man, and a sincere people, out of nothing more than to avenge a petty mark on your inflated ego. This is not democracy.... this is not what the Senate is supposed to be. I, and my people, are losing faith in this body, Senators. Please, for the sake of all we believe in, prove me wrong.

And Senator Oriel, if you wish to continue to be the only person claiming that Deralia sent any form of ground forces, then stop being a hypocrit and present some form of actual proof.

he proof Deralia has of the terrorist organizations based out of Dantooine has been given to the appropriate individuals.

Deralia is making no claim of responsibility for these attacks against the government of Dantooine. We are, however, making claim of responsibility of these attacks to terrorist elements based out of Dantooine and its star system. Very different claims. Had the government of Dantooine been responsible for attacks on Deralian citizens, then there would a cassus belli that no amount of resistence would deter us from. Attacks against civilians are something Deralia has, and always will, stand against. Stop this game you are trying to play Senator, for this is no game.

I am not lying to the Senate, Senator Oriel. Neither did former Senator Veritas. Until convicted of such crimes, then I recommend you cease such claims, less you face your own charges, that of slander.