Interview: Baron LiQuan, leader of House LiQuan (HLQ)
by Tess Olsen, exclusive for the GGG
Once again, Baron LiQuan is at the center of a controversy. For the second time this year, the Dolphinus System, part of the Inner Empire and part of the Commonwealth, is being claimed by House LiQuan. The last time this happened, the IMP threatened to go to war against them. This time, things seem to be different. We talked with the Baron himself to get his views on this matter.
GGG: We have been informed that House LiQuan is once again claiming the Dolphinus System and the Fortress System in the name of the HLQ and not for the Commonwealth as before. Is that true? If so, why?
LiQuan: House LiQuan is the legal representative of the Emperor in those systems. We have decided, with the Emperor blessing, to claim these systems in his name where his rule alone will be recognised.
GGG: Is this move intended to be a break from the terms of the Peace Accord and the rules of the Commonwealth? What are the HLQ views on the status quo of the Inner Empire and the Inner Confederacy?
LiQuan: Claiming the systems does not break the peace accord, but certain people disagree on this. However, confirming that the Emperor rules these systems and not the Triumvirate Council does. I believe the systems in the Inner Empire and Inner Confederacy should all be claimed for the Emperor. He is after all the leader of the human race and these systems are the home of the human race. To keep the peace I am willing to allow the rebels to continue claiming the systems they have there at the moment.
GGG: The last time the Dolphinus System was claimed for the HLQ, the IMP Viceroy issued a public cease and desist ultimatum demanding the claim for the Commonwealth to be restored. What is different now?
LiQuan: House LiQuan has worked hard to improve its relations with the Imperial Block, which has allowed us to become allied again. This time more preparation has gone into this and the Emperor has given his support. Also, this is happening under the leadership of the Baron and not his son. I don't believe the Imperials or the Confederacy will go against the Emperors wishes. After all, I am sure they want the Emperor to rule just as much as I do.
GGG: If Dolphinus becomes indeed a system claimed by the HLQ, could this be the beginning of a balkanization of the Inner Empire, with the SMS claiming Apollo fir the SMS, the CNF claiming Sparta for the CNF, the GTT claiming Ross 248 for the GTT, etc?
LiQuan: I don't think these things will happen. The Emperor has given control of a few systems to noble houses, something that's well documented. These houses have certain rights in these systems to ensure order and stability in the Emperor's name. The GTT and SMS are valued corporate holdings and it would be a big change in direction for them to claim systems on behalf of themselves. Most of the systems should be claimed for the Confederacy and Imperials, who are the Emperor's representatives for the day to day running of the Empire.
GGG: And what about the Sol System?
LiQuan: The Sol System could be a matter for some debate. I would personally go for the Confederacy, since they have close ties with the DTR, who would more likely accept that than the Imperials claiming the system. However, a lot depends on whether the DTR wish to bring the fear of war back to the Empire.
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IMP Viceroy Forsakes the Commonwealth
by Cornelius Merryheart, exclusive for the GGG
At the time of the appeasement between the IMP and the HLQ, many people asked what could have dissuaded a warmonger like Githyanki, the IMP Viceroy, from starting a little war. The answer is simple: a bigger war. We are now seeing the other end of the sweet deals sealed behind closed doors, ensuring the reinstatement of Baron LiQuan's title and a extremely lenient sentence for his son. With support from the IMP Viceroy himself, Baron LiQuan is now initiating a rupture in the Commonwealth by claiming systems for House LiQuan and going against the Triumvirate Council. After these new claims, it didn't take long for Githyanki to come forward and declare, in his unmistakable crude style, that the Triumvirate Council and the Commonwealth are "false establishments with no legitimate power".
This new IMP Viceroy, who ascended to power under questionable circumstances, is a menace to humans everywhere. His goal is clear. He is now throwing away years of diplomatic efforts to reunite humans everywhere, he is disregarding all the consequences to peaceful citizens across the galaxy, he is nonchalantly disposing of the Commonwealth, the Triumvirate Council, and by extension the Peace Accord itself, all this to open a way for a large scale war against the DTR. Githyanki is trying to pick a fight, a big fight that will have an unthinkable cost for all sides, and he has to be stopped. Won't honorable members of the Imperial Services step up and say "no more of this nonsense, we need a Viceroy who will consolidate the peace and not one intent on spreading blood and destruction"?
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