Director of Intelligence Steps Down

Posted: Feb 24 2004, 07:54 PM

The Spinning Imperial Republic logo melts to reveal the Crimson symbol of Imperial Republic Intelligence. The omniscient branch of the Republic, hated by enemies, envied by allies. It was the symbol of the greatness, the strength, and the power of the Imperial Republic.

The logo then faded, and after a few seconds, the transmission appears to have disappeared altogther. Then out of nowhere, catching you by surprise, the black screen "shatters" to reveal the face of an older man, wearing dark sunglasses. The Ubiqtorate. Eric Taylor Jackson.

The typical boyish good looks that Eric had sported all his life (people have told him he 'aged well'.) were aged differently then they were in the year past. He looked haggard, fatigued, and exhausted. His age was showing, that was for sure.

Eric ran his fingers through his long hair, and began his speech.

"Greetings, members of the Imperial Republic."

Eric sipped his water. "To many of you...this announcement will have been a surprise, an earth-shattering, out of the blue proclamation that will leave you wondering...and to a select few, they'll shrug and say 'It had to happen.' And still a third group will sip their drinks nonchalantly, not really caring who saveguards them, as long as they are.

"This announcement is for all three.

Eric sipped his water again, and coughed. His sunglasses slightly moved out of place, revealing the facial scars under his eyes and the dark bags under them as well. He readjusted them, and continued.

"As of this moment, I am no longer capable of defending the Empire in my current role. Serving as both the Director of Intel, and the Executor of the Republic has taken too much out of me, and my daughter is suffering for it. I already lost my family once because of being overworked and overstressed. God help me if I do it a second time.

"As of this moment, I am resigning the Intel Directorship, and stepping down. Hopefully the next director will lead you better then I did."

"For the last time...Eric Taylor Jackson signing off."

Eric saluted the camera as it faded back into the IRI logo, before it faded into the Imperial Republic logo. Off the camera, Eric glanced at his daughter Aurielle and smiled faintly, walking over to embrace her tightly...