Private The Kasper Report: Trade Wars?

[IBN]

Rafan Kasper, Host of the Kasper Report​

Like any good news outlet, Rafan's producers had been poking around knowledgeable guests that could shed light on the sudden and radical policy shifts of the Confederacy. However, to their surprise they found a high level CIS official offering interviews, to provide an insider look from the CIS's perspective.

They snapped at the opportunity, booking them for a full hour interview during prime time, but Rafan made them stress a few things before the interview went ahead. He would try to be fair in his questioning, but it definitely wasn't going to be a softball interview cheerleading for the CIS. They should expect to be grilled. Billions of people within the Kiribian Systems Union and the greater Colony region had legitimate concerns about implications of the new policies on their livelihood, and so he owed it to his viewers to do his job as a journalist.

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"Good evening and welcome to tonight's Kasper Report. I'm your host, Rafan Kasper, providing in-depth analysis on developments in the world of business and finance every Sunday. During the week, stocks across all major indexes continue to tumble in the wake of the CIS's declaration of its 'Confederacy First' policy. Almost all major powers were quick to condemn the unilateral policy as isolationist and harmful to intergalactic trade at a particularly perilous time, urging the CIS to walk it back. Domestically, this act and internal measures have also been met with controversy, resulting in some high level resignations. However, citing security concerns and trade imbalances, the federal government of the CIS has yet to budge, expanding upon its original executive order. Thus continues a war of words between opposing propaganda outlets."

"The fear of investors and entrepreneurs is that this war of words will soon escalate into a full-blown trade war."

"As always, the Kasper Reports tries to cut through the noise of politics to present the cold hard facts. Beginning with the CIS, we hope to interview all affected parties to get to the truth of the matter."

The full screen of Rafan at his desk transitioned to a split screen showing his guest.

"Tonight, via Holo call with me tonight is the Lord Commander Voph, leader of the Knights Obsidian. He is also leading up the recently activated Inquisition currently underway in Confederate space. The Confederate Inquisition is akin to an Inspector-General or Special Counsel in the KSU, empowered with special privileges for sweeping investigations across almost every area the CIS government at the local and federal level. His position gives him an intimate, top level view of the happenings within the CIS, so we're hoping he'll be able to help us make sense of recent developments in the government."

"So welcome, Commander. Before we get into the review of the Confederacy First policy, I thought it would be a good idea to look into the catalyst that got us to this point. The bioweapon attack on Atrisia. If I have this right, you're investigating the origins of this attack and other past disturbances within the CIS. Can you talk what you've uncovered about the attackers at Atrisia, and talk about what else you're looking into with your investigations?"

Kyyrk

 

[Kyyrk]

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I N T E R V I E W​

Voph was seated in his office within the Citadel on Geonosis, the seat of power of the Knights Obsidian. He was, unlike usual, dressed in a rather ornate black robe, trimmed with gold that shimmered in the light. Voph stared at the holocamera quietly as the host, Kasper, was it, offered his opening statement to his audience. Voph made a mental note to review who the KSU actually were, as he'd not heard many direct mentions of them as of late. Voph's hair was pulled back in the typical tight ponytail that he normally wore, and his black cloth mantle rested prominently across his brow. Voph did not smile as his monitor indicated he was on live holonet, but rather sat emotionless until the host introduced him by name. Voph nodded his head in a seated sign of respect, before resuming his proud posture within his desk chair. As Kasper concluded his introduction with the first question, Voph canted his head slightly as he prepared to speak.

"Thank you for your interest in our affairs, Kasper. Before I answer your question I will correct you on one detail, the Inquisition has full jurisdiction across the Confederacy, not just partial access here and there. Any matter that may pose a threat to internal security is our purview.

But, in regards to Atrisia, I'm afraid that is a question I am unable to answer. Steps are being taken, however the active nature of the investigation forbids me from speaking further on what details have been learned, and what leads are being followed. I should think a man dealing in information such as yourself understands the necessity to keep some cards close to the chest, no? Regardless, I feel that the events of Atrisia were hardly worth considering when one looks at the catalyst that spurred the Confederacy First orders. Framed in that context, the outbreak on Atrisia was little more that a particularly potent virus. If you look at the changes the Confederacy has enacted, none of them would be particularly effective at quelling the spread of a virus, regardless of if you believe the outbreak was an orchestrated attack or not."

Voph folded his hands in his lap, still staring intently at the holocamera as he waited for the host's next question...

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[IBN]

Right out of the gate, Voph was evasive, not offering anything that would paint his government in a bad light. That didn't surprise Rafan. The man was effectively the top enforcer of the CIS, so if anyone was going to toe the official line, it was him. The good commander was going to make Rafan work for every tidbit of information.

"When it comes to law enforcement, I understand the importance of discretion when working an active investigation. However, there is still a need for transparency, especially in your case where you have none of the usual limits placed on investigators and prosecutors. Transparency keeps a special investigation from devolving into a political culling. I understand many citizens within the CIS are quite anxious about a secretive body holding so much power with little oversight. So, there's nothing you're willing offer tonight about your investigations to put them at ease? On Atrisia, or general corruption and negligence within the CIS?"

He raised an eyebrow during a moment of candor from the Lord Commander, who freely admitted that the new CIS policies would be ineffective at thwarting future outbreaks.

"Ahh...pandemics and bioterrorism represent some of the most difficult challenges for any nation to face domestically. Bioterrorism itself is by and large the most popular form of terrorism as you're able to inflict massive WMD-like casualties with nothing but a few vials. Why wouldn't potential attackers be emboldened by what you just said as your nation's leading security officer? Ultimately, what are the new travel/migration restrictions and security protocols of the Vicelord's executive orders meant to address if not these issues? "

Kyyrk

 

[Kyyrk]

Voph smiled thinly as Kasper fired another round of questions. Misinformation. Misinformation everywhere. "I never said we didn't have measures against bioterrorism, just that the executive order did not result from such matters."

Voph's head canted to the side again and his brow furrowed as he continued. "The facts, as they stand, is that the Confederacy made a highly commendable effort where the planet is concerned. After being subjected to an attack by a misguided Sith Lord, the planet was given immediate aid by Confederate forces, who began the process of bringing the planet into the fold of our nation to protect it from such attacks in the future. Within seventy two hours of BEGINNING talks with the Atrisians government, the outbreak occurs. So to call the events of Atrisia an attack against the Confederacy is...shall we say, incorrect. To my mind, one of two possibilities occur: that the attack was against the planet itself, regardless of nation, or simply the dying throes of a Sith scheme to dominate the planet, and to destroy it if they are unable to claim dominion of it. In record time, a cure was developed and dispersed, and the data from this attack is being reviewed, and updated response plans are being formulated. But, I think we are straying from our main topic of the executive order, and what that entails, don't you think?"

Voph smiled, turning to look at something off camera for a brief moment before looking back to the camera. "To speak to your first inquiry, I would hardly say that the Inquisition is secretive. The Knights Obsidian are a well known and well respected facet of the Confederacy. That being said, it is not the role of the Inquisition to play judge, jury, and executioner. Any investigations we conduct are meticulously catalogued and filed with the Office of the Vicelord, available for review by any parties that deem such measures necessary. It only seems that we lack transparency because we are only transparent to our citizens, not a news outlets beyond our borders. State secrets and all. You understand."

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