Greg Windon said:We take you live to a press conference by Senator Kurokawa Yasuko, representing Yamatai.
The Yamataian senator, her hair tamed into a messy but hip style, approached the podium from the left of the camera. The Hinomaru, absent the Mindy armor, was on the front a podium before her. The background was a simple dark red curtain, shimmering behind her. She looked straight into the camera.
"The Empress Ketsurui Himiko, in her wisdom, has ended slavery within the Empire, and has abandoned the oppressive Living Property System. This has been a long time in coming, and it heartens all of the Empire's citizens to know that we have begun to live up to the ideals we have not reached during this long time of war. But with these new achievements come enormous challenges the Empire must rise to meet, for the sake of our most valued citizens."
She briefly looked at the podium for perhaps a second, then spoke again. "Millions of Nekovalkyrja have served for years without much hope for their prospects after their contracts were over. Many do not rise above the Hei ranks, resulting in paltry savings. Even with the Prestige System in place, many cannot afford more than small apartments in very major cities. They did not receive land. They did not receive substantial property. They are offered enough to exist, but not enough for the chance to live. "There was one control placed on the Nekovalkyrja — the harsh reality that war would end more than enough of them to never truly tax the Prestige System. "
She paused, and her eyes hardened. "But our war is over. The Mishhuvurthyar have left us in peace. The Empress has decreed our fleets be downsized. Our sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters are returning home to us. However, our cities are not prepared for the enormous influx of several million military personnel returning to our Empire's planets. The populations will crush our system of government finances, clog our cities and overwhelm the Prestige System. More importantly, however, it will lead to these populations into the same subsidized housing the few who have retired now reside in. We can do better for our troops.
"Therefore. It is with great pleasure that I announce a new initiative, chiefly proposed by the associated municipal and prefecture governments of Yamatai, to create homes for these personnel. But not new civilian barracks. Instead, we will be actively soliciting designs, for new, self-sufficient, capitalistic models of city-states on the planets of Tami and Albini. Recognizing that the Star Army still utilizes Tami, the first city-state under this plan, Artolia, will be built on Albini. This city-state, designed to house up to 1,100,000 people, will be funded through the municipal governments of Kyoto, Melanchol, Malifar, Port Xenn, Jskita, Mezerit, Natalia and Tania. Simultaneously, developments are underway to grow the cities of Port Xenn and Jskita.
"This is not for the purpose of isolation, but to give the economies of municipal governments to ready for even further retirements and ending contracts. Offers and designs will be accepted from all parties, regardless of nationality, and will be duly considered. Thank you, and may Chiharu's light shine on the Empress."
Roxanne left the podium without taking questions.