<o:p> </o:p>




CONTRUUM JOINS THE EMPIRE

<o:p> </o:p>

CONTRUUM – Following the death of the Prime Minister of Contruum yesterday, the world has chosen a new leader, and made a decision many viewed as too long in coming. This morning, the Empire confirmed that Contruum has applied for membership in the New Order.

<o:p> </o:p>

While the official process can take weeks or months, no objection is expected to be raised, and Contruum can expect to begin receiving the perks of membership in the Empire within days. Admiral Kyoto, of the Imperial Fleet, who was overseeing a fleet in the system offered his comments:

<o:p> </o:p>

“Basically what happened was that the government came to us and asked us to let them join the Empire. The terrorist attacks really shook them, especially when they realized that elements of their own government had been involved… they asked us to help them to weed out the traitors, which we did, and now Contruum has decided that the Empire is the path they want to take.”

<o:p> </o:p>

The Empire has not revealed what changes will be made to the government of Contruum, which is currently a semi-democratic system that elects half of its leaders and sees the other half appointed from within. However, the Empire does encourage each world to govern itself as it sees fit, within the bounds of Imperial Law.

<o:p> </o:p>

Asked whether Contruum will be punished for the role it played in the attacks on the Empire earlier this month, Admiral Kyoto said, “we [the Empire] are conducting an investigation that will determine the extent of the government’s involvement… needless to say, all those involved will be punished under Imperial law.”