With all the candidates gathered, the announcer continued to speak.

"These candiates shall be voted upon in ten weeks. Whomsoever has the highest total of votes shall be crowned High Lord of Azguard for the next two years, until the next election.

"Every week, the people may make known which candidate they will support by participating in a vote on Saturday each week until the election. Between that time the candidates are free to campaign to their heart's content.

"Let each go now from this place, and plan what they will do to bring about a better Azguard!"

With that, each candidate left the building, to loud applause and cheers, and began to plan how they intended to kick off the campaign.

Week one.

The election trail began immeadietly for still-active Supreme Commander of Military Forces Regrad. He and his campaign staff and volunteers - primarily from the Light tribe - went to great lengths during this first week to give the message that Regrad has and always will serve Azguard with only the intentions of liberating the oppressed and providing freedom to those outside their fortunate corner of the galaxy.

To do this, he has gone on to many holo-net news programs, from the huge like GNN, to the tiny like Comedy Centrals' Daily Show with Jerimo Stew. On all of them, he answers his questions honestly and openly, never lying, even where he could avoid the question, or when telling the truth might put him in a poor light.

When asked about military service, and the poor performance of Azguards' military recently, Regrad had only this to say:

"This isn't us versus the Furen any more. It isn't as clean cut. We're fighting in ways we didn't think possible twenty years ago, around places we didn't know existed ten years ago. It will take time, but I forsee in the future that the Azguard Military, along with the Coalition and our allies, will be an able fighting-force long before we ever have to fight again."

After a round of Holo-net appearences, Regrad and "his first of foot" as he affectionately calls his staff, after the departed heroes of the Coalition First fleet, who were ambushed on the way to Corellia and fought bitter hand-to-hand battles to the death, took a plodding but thorough trip through the central areas of Azguard, knocking on every door they came across to shake hands with the people inside and offer them a ticket to a fund-raiser/concert to be held at the end of the week.

Regrad even found time to visit Az-Tech industries, where he personally tested a Mech-suit being re-designed for manned flight. He scored an impressive eighty-five percent on the marksman-ship test, but a less-then-impressive sixty-two on the obstacle course. "Dodging over things in my way is not how I usually do things" he joked afterwards. He also heard a lecture on the unusual Energy Shields recently recovered from an ancient Azguard city, which scientists are furiously trying to copy in an attempt to make Coalition planets safer.

_____________________________________________________________

The Water Party Candidate, Ioa, Made a much more relaxed election experience, and is already showing a good following in young and new voters. His campaign trail took a more conventional rout, going from major-city to major-city, packing theaters to stadiums with people to hear him preach on the issues like over-militirization of Azguard, and the need for superior health-care.

He also recieved a few key endorsments from buisnesses within Azguard, such as the water-treatment industry, the Agricultural buisness Agrigo, which provides most of the Tomatoe Crop, and ex-General Yomo.

To cap off the week, he plans to hold a massive rally to celebrate the end of the first week's polls and to raise funds to continue the campaign.

__________________________________________________________________

The Fire Party Candidate, far-left yet pro-military Renzoukan, started her campain in high spirits. With a strong showing in the Woman's vote and the pro-military vote, she went on to press her advantages home by campaigning heavily in her own province.

While many annoying pundit-types said this was folly, as she commanded a vast lead there already, some more shrewed political types would notice that this inciting of political fervor is spreading from the Fire Tribe Mountains to all the corners of Azguard, although very little now, it may become a lava-flow later on in the campaign.

She also made sure to speak strongly on the issues, including the need for either less or more military. "It's a yes or no issue." she was quoted as saying. "Either we decide we can't handle the fight and demilitirize, or we take the path less treden and build our forces up as high as we can. I say we tread the lonely path!"

___________________________________________________________________

Kree, Wind party candidate and only other female candidate in the race, said "We should spend more time listening, less time preaching."

Her opinions change with the rise and fall of opinion polls. While many see it as a wishy-washy tactic, Kree says that the tactic is nothing of the sort, and is in fact the sensible one for politicians to take, reasoning that politicians' purposes are to serve the people, and their own opinions don't matter. Her message did well with older voters, who felt comfortable with the idea of a politician who would listen to them.

She capped off the week by appearing at a sports events (Robot Warz) and, before millions of spectators, started the competition with a flag wave and said that "she too" enjoyed a good spectator sport.

___________________________________________________________________

The last Candidate, Earth Party candidate Moro, is doing worst in the polls so far, but analysts point out that his support is growing quickly, and building all-important momentum. Continuing like this, he may catch up with the other candidates and be able to pass them using a lot of built-up power.

He spent the week wisely, holding countless small gatherings, many in rural parts of Azguard, to tell people that Azguard was doing best twenty years ago, a time with no war, a stronger economy, and none of the problems galactization brought. Considered an unimportant issue compared to military problems, galactinization of Azguard is coming to the forefront, and Moro is getting in on the ground floor, possibly an election-winning move.

Finally, he plans to hold a party at the largest of Azguards' rural centers the night of the end of the first week to celebrate progress made so far into the campaign.

Kyric Zen smiled, he had seen his 'competition' and he knew it could easily be defeated. He would be far more popular with the Azguards after tonight, than anyone else would be in the weeks to come.

"My fellow beings, I come here tonight, after an arduous trip, over your lovely planet. I have come in hopes of settling past disagreements, so that everyone from the lowest tiers of the streets to the highest ranks of the Azguard Special Services, can feel at rest in the galaxy. So that every person regardless of color, species, or hairstyle is accepted as the same in this society. So that every creature feels safe when walking down the street. I will not rest until this done!

“You have probably heard my name, for my victories at places like Bakura, Hargeeva, Adumar. None of those would have happened if not for the men I worked with, the women who helped, of all species. I feel, while standing right here, in this room, in your rooms in your houses, that I—with your help, with your blessing, can make a difference. Not just in foreign policy, which are lacking severely, but it domestic policy. I promise a bottle of ketchup on every kitchen in every home every night. Pie, ready, baked with delicious tomatoes and garlic garnishes.

“On foreign policy, I feel that we can do so much better, seriously, three planets and half your defense fleet for a little scuffle on the sidewalk? You are now left in the hands of a man who gives away your only defense from villainous organizations like the "GLF" or Anthos “Republic” to strike at you upon their own whim. Don’t get me wrong, Regrad is still a viable commander, but he is growing old and weak. He needs to be replaced but someone young and someone who can win with minimal losses. That person, my fellows, is me!”

OOC- No one knows the "Union" exsists. GLF has made the recent attacks- they are different.

IC- Hilter Afdol started off his campign by pouring cash into a high pofile holonet ad campign, with the main ad being as follows:

*Camera shows a picture of Hilter sitting at a Dejarik table*

Voice Over: Hilter Afdol has shown he has both the competitive spirit and the real world knowledge to lead the Azguard people in this crucial time in their development.

*Camera flashes to Hilter in a bussiness suit adressing an employee banquet*

"From a turning a tiny company into an intergalactic corporation, to helping out the galaxies poorest citizens in times of hardship, Hilter has shown his commitment to whatever he sets his mind to."

*The scene shifts to a rally, where thousands of disheveled aliens are cheering, as transports land and droid began unloading huge parcels marked: Agro Inc.*

"In fact, Agro Incorporated is the largest supplier of free or low prices foodstuffs to governments and releif organizations, and is currently one of the main producers for the refugee camps in Bothan Space and in the ORS."

*The scen shift to hilter, shaking his fist and emphatically speaking, though the words are muted*

"Tough on corruption, Hilter fired 8 members of his personal staff after he found they were charing exhorbriant prices for good than pocketing the cash themselves."

*Finally the commerical flashed to Hilter smiling widely at the camera, a horde of Dejarik trophies in the backround.*

"Hilter Afdol is a winner, and he wants to use his talents to help the Azguard People. Hilter Afdol.... working hard to help make the Azguards winners too."

------------------------------------------------------

The ad was designed to get Hilter's name out among the people, while he went on a campiagn tour of 'colony' worlds: Krakken IV and Hurok, hoping to garner support these places before concentrating on Azguard itself. He gave several hiogh profile speeches, trying to explain how he would run Azguard as if he had all his money invested in it, trying to make sure that the Azguardian people got more out of his term than what he put in it.

He also proposed his idea for open referendums among the Azguardian people, to have the entire population vote on major issues that would effect the Azguardians. All the time, in public, his smiling face greeted all who came out to see him, and his oratory, while very non-contraversial, was upbeat and personable. Making himself out to be the nice guy was Hilters opeing political plan.

He was pretty sure thats what the Azguards wanted to hear.

After the sport's event, called Robot Warz, was over, the wind candidate left the building. As she approached her hover limo, a jet black hover car with tinted windows intercepted her. Two Azguards debarked, covered her head with a black bag, and stuffed her into the car. The car then took off down the street, and disappeared in plain sight, worrying and frightning many of the other Azguards who had been at the sport's event.

Inside the Limo

The two men pulled off the bag off of the candidate's head. Sputtering, she demanded to know why she had been taken. One man approached, carrying a large object in a bag. She sat up, frightened, but the two men that had taken her pinned her back onto the floor of the hovercar. Then the one man began to speak:

"Now see here, Mistress of Wind. We don't take kindly against your kind running for office, see? Either withdraw from the race, or else you'll get a taste of something that'll scar ya for the rest of ya life, see?" said the man.

"Go to Xerxes!" shouted the woman.

"You first. Tony, Louie, pin her down tightly now." said the man.

The man withdrew the object from the bag. It was a bottle of spicy mustard, the counterpart and often considered evil version of the much loved spice called Ketchup. The Mistress of Wind began to shreik, but the boss had already made up his mind to use it. He positioned the squeeze bottle over her head and let loose, pouring the whole bottle over her face and into her mouth. She convulsed, and went into shock. The boss sat back.

"Wrap her in a blanket, and deposit her in front of the hospital, boys." said the boss.

One minute later the car shot past the hospital, a figure wrapped in a blanked being kicked out, to go sprawling across the duracrete. Then the jet black hovercar disappeared into the night.........

Week One..

These Azguard seemed simple on the surface but if one were to actually stop and sit at a park and watch the people as they go by, one could see their unique psychology and indepth religious system.

The "Gods" of the Azguard were in everything they did.

He would scheduled several visits to the Temple of the God's to understand better the Azguard psyche.


*


Studying the earlier news items there was quite a bit of talk of the failures of the Azguard and Coalition attack on the New Order. The negative aspects of the Treaty coupled with indirect references to Azguards being losers seemed to weigh on some.


Therefore, his first task was to end this and by doing that, he asked for an enscort to take a tour of the Coalition's remaining Bird of Prey fleet.

Why?

Because Adrian saw that this ship would be the symbol to bring the "pride" of the Azguard's actions back to the people.

The Coalition's little talked about victory over the New Order was accomplished using this warship.


"Remember the Defense of Farquak!" he said to himself, smiling.


That should be a part of the first week's platform.


The Azguard/Coalition Military always loved to shine with all the brass and pomp. Heck, Adrian didn't know any military organization that did not like looking good for the public and enhancing their image.

And the Coalition's military could do with some image boosting.

Adrian felt they'd been the politician's punching bag long enough.


Since High Lord Regrad was also a military leader, Adrian felt that he would have the military's respect. He fought with them. It was a respect he wanted as well for he knew the value of the efforts these once ordinary people took for the greater good of others.

He smiled.

His request for the tour was granted.

A lot of politics are just common sense.

Though sometimes some politics made no sense.

While the other politicians were eager to begin their campaigning, Barry Moleman eased off on too much time spent doing so for the first part of week one. Many fans began to lose interest, and those too stubborn to were driven insane (some literally, some metaphorically) with Moleman's apparent lack of interest in the Azguards.

Finally, Barry made his move. Before anyone could react, the rich little man had bought four Azguard holostations, and on these he played nothing but "Barry" re-runs, interrupted only by commercials for his election campaign and events that he participated in.

Many fans, lost and confused, began to flock to Barry's side. His campaign rocketed up in the polls almost overnight. In a dazzling display of campaigning, he attended nearly fifty events and shows in one day. Barry had quickly become a giant little monstrosity and a giant pain in the ass for his fellow campaigners.

Rather than talk much about his own campaign plan, he belittled others'. He grossly overexaggerated his own achievements and spoke with disdain for the other campaigners' successes. And worst of all, there was nothing anyone else could do about it because he wouldn't allow other campaigners any time on his holochannels, and that was all a fan watched.

"Regrad?!" the little man laughed, "Did he even have any victories during the Coalition's war with TNO? Hes a poor tactician, and a poor leader. I can't see why hes stayed in office for so long."

"Kyric Zen..." Barry continued, "Does anyone else see something wrong with this picture? Hargeeva, Adumar, Bakura...weren't these your allies' planets?! Not to mention how he threatened Tholatin with nuclear war! This man is a warmonger, and more than that, hes a warmonger that was...is still you're enemy! Him?! Azguard president?! Has the world gone mad?!"

"Hilter Afdol..." Barry commented, "He seems like a good guy. Dejarik champion? Very admirable. But the point is, hes really done nothing for Azguard. All he has done was flaunt his title around and show off his company. Maybe if his company was doing things for Azguardians, but no. It seems they're too busy in Bothan space and the ORS."

Although Barry's campaign has been focused mostly on belittling other campaigners, he has also donated an enormous sum of money to the steadily growing "Little People's Society of Azguard". The little people of Azguardia, seeing as there are so few, have been very greatful.

Barry Moleman was in it to win, and he didn't care how he did it.

The first Election results coming in from Hurok have just finished being hand counted as well as Digitalized to avoid all computational error. We are here to make all of Azguard aware of the first string of voting results.

Ioa's dependancy on the young and new voters seems to have served him poorly, as well as his short campaign time. Coming in at roughly 6% of the population, or 390 million votes, Ioa recieved the least amount of votes this election.

Adrian, the Human star from space, may be a big thing where he came from, but on Hurok, he must not have a huge fan base in the political world for his 7% of the population got him no where.

Kree Moro's wishy washy tactics of going with the political flow of the day has served her well to get into the middle majority. Not enough to bring her a higher majority of votes at 9% or 585 millions votes, shes leading the rear of voting statistics.

Hilter, the name makes one shiver, though no one knows just why. His Good Guy campaign seems to have milked the populations single mother votes at a high 10% of the population, leading this reporter to believe there are far too many single mothers out there...

Barry's blatent advertisement and tireless campaigning has made him a house hold name in azguard homes. His public mudslinging may have had a nasty effect on his outward reputation his voters are a strong willed bunch recieving 11% of the populations votes.

Renzoukan a militant leader, early on was leading in the votes, but seems was under taken by another candadite of a similar nature. His original contengency stuck with him though and came through with 11% of the planets voting.

Jyanus while projecting a campaign completely oposite of what the Azguard population has been used to under the Regard candacy, especialy as a pro force stance versus his anti stance. Walking away with those that desire change and wishing for a whole new look seem to have voted for this up and comer with 15% of the votes, or 975 million votes.

Almost as a severe coincidence, Regrad himself has just surpassed Jyanus with 15.4% of the planets voting populous. His last Candacy still appreciated amongst the planets foremost alied populous, this leader seems to have the highest chance of revoting.

And the biggest suprise of this voting season was Kyric Zen. Coming out of his no support session, his constant campaigning, with his well known military record and camapign diversity has not only stolen those militant azguard votes but also those of those voters concenred with the saftey and service of the homefront. Not to mention to switch over of Renzoukans contingentacy when Kyric entered the race, he pulls away with 15.6% of the planets population.

There you go Folks, one planet down, but the elections are far from over, stay tuned for further coverage!

Viryn Quell here, to present the election results as we're reading them on Krakken IV.

I have to note that I am stupefied by the election results from Hurok. I guess that I shouldn't be suprised to see such ridiculous polling figures in an election that has seemed to be little more than a circus. With uninformed, borderline-braindead rhetoric pouring out of Kyric Zen's mouth at a mile a minute, I'm having a hard time how anyone could elect him to so much as a school council.

Thus far, Krakken IV polling results have been as follows:

1) Regrad - 24%
Frankly, I'm pleased to see Regrad doing so well. Using his popularity among the Azguard people to his advantage, he's put forward an agenda of honesty, transparency, and positive social change, and people have responded. Hopefully he can buoy this strong start with solid stances on the issues later on.

2) Jyanus - 18%
Jyanus' performance is somewhat frightening. Despite his oddball demeanor and cult-like preaching -- not to mention his decision to label himself "the righteous subjugator" -- his anti-war, anti-ORS, and for that matter anti-everything message seems to have struck a note with the Azguards.

3) Kree - 17%
I'll be perfectly honest; I hate Kree with a passion. Her vapid, by-the-book, poll-counting politics and lack of any policy direction whatsoever places her at the bottom of my list. Unfortunately, there seems to be a sizable number of people that want an utter flake with no visible stances on the issues as their leader. I can't see Kree doing well, as other candidates begin to distinguish themselves by having something to say about, well, anything.

4) Ioa - 15%
Ioa. What can I say about Ioa? Money talks, and idiots listen.

5) Renzoukan - 10%
I admire Renzoukan's poise under the considerable media fire surrounding her, but she seems to be splitting her priorities. While it is interesting to find a candidate not strictly divided down ideological lines, her policies beg the question; if so much social spending is needed, how will we also focus on military spending? Isn't a military society by its very nature one which accepts conformity and discourages the oddities of liberalism?

6) Adrian Atreides - 6%
Adrian Atreides seems intelligent and qualified enough to warrant a few votes, but has yet to distinguish himself from his right-wing hardliner image. Probably because he can't. One dimensional conservatism only goes so far.

7) Moro - 5%
Moro is my favourite candidate. Though he's down to seventh in the polls, even this showing for such an unconventional, liberal candidate is a victory. He's definitely going to gain momentum as word-of-mouth begins to take hold and the relentless media saturation of other candidates wears thin.

8) Hilter Afdol - 2%
Hilter Afdol is a patently stupid individual. His qualifications are essentially nil. He seems to impress himself with his meaningless rhetoric about "winning". If this were a high school popularity contest or a sports game, I'm sure he would do very well. It's not. He isn't.

9) Kyric Zen - 1%
How the mighty have fallen. While Kyric Zen's gung-ho, overfunded propaganda machine may have worked wonders for him on Hurok, it has sunk him like a stone here on Krakken. With his bizarre statements about condiments and other such asinine stupidity, combined with ridiculous campaigning tactics like handing out pies in the streets, Zen has seemed wholly out of place in a democratic election. Not suprising, since his native government is a harsh dictatorship. No one seems impressed at the prospect of becoming another tool of this ruthless military figure.

10) Barry Moleman - 1%
Barry Moleman doesn't have convincing stances on issues. He isn't particularly interesting to listen to. His only qualification for the job seems to be how good he looks on hologram. He justifies his decision to run by pointing to the abysmally stupid Kyric Zen, and his similarly pointless campaign. Both should do everyone a favor and leave. Forever.

Human candidates are definitely going to need to kick it up a notch if they want to gain support. What they seem to be forgetting is that here, we are the aliens. Good night.

Viryn Quell
Freelance Author

The plan had been laid out. It was a very simple plan, and would hopefully increase the the chances of a foreign human winning the election. As the famously popular Regrad walked out of yet another meeting, a hover limo drove in, Regrad thought, to pick up, for it was the same decoration as his own personal limo. But then, two men emerged from the limo, and threw small roundish objects into the ranks of his bodyguards. The objects exploded, releasing mustard gas into them. With his guards collapsing, the two men advanced on Regrad, who fled up the stairs. The two men pulled out tommy guns, and took aim. Regrad made it into the building, and shut the doors behind him, just as mustard packets exploded against it. He then turned, and screamed. Laying on the floor were the four security personnel of the building, mustard stains on their chests. And standing there, an older Azguard stood, wearing a fine buisness suit, and smoking a cigar. In his hands was another of those tommy guns. The man opened fire. Mustard packets exploded against his chest, spraying foul mustard across him. Regrad held a hand up and touched his chest, and pulled it away, looking at the mustard staining it. He looked at his hand in shock, then collapsed. The boss walked out of the building, and met up with Tony and Louie before taking off into the night.