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[Elrinka]

"Good afternoon, and welcome to Union Central News. I am Elrinka, and this is 'Politicians Revealed', where I will be interviewing important political leaders to discover the person behind the politics. With me today is Nehket Aeka of the Veolian Commonwealth, Senator for her people and Chancellor for us all."

The camera turned towards the Chancellor who had been set up in a comfortable chair near the Theelin reporter.

"Chancellor, welcome to our show, and may I say it is a great honour you are here." she waited a second to give the Chancellor a chance for the obligatory 'glad to be here' before she continued.

"Chancellor, we have seen you in action in the political arena, both as a Senator and as a Chancellor, but we know very little about the woman behind the politics. In this interview, we hope to find out more about you, so the people of the Union may know their leaders.

So to cut right into the matter, how did you come to be a politician, and perhaps more importantly, what are your motivations as a politician? What drives you to go to work every morning in what must no doubt be a stressful position?"

[Nehket Aeka]

After Nehket Aeka indeed said the obligatory "Glad to be here, Elrinka", she smiled to her interviewer, her movements seemed both natural and, especially to the knowledgeable viewer, calculated. Clearly, she had extensive media training.

"Well, Elrinka", she started, "It is my duty."

"I was destined to go into politics from the age of seventeen, when I became hemet. As the daughter of a high-placed noble in House Nehket it is expected of me to represent my House, and later my husband. When the Commonwealth joined the Union, the emperor granted the honour of providing a representative to House Nehket. As the oldest unmarried daughter of House Nehket, I now represent the whole of the Veolian Commonwealth instead of just my House.

I am motivated not only by the support I receive from those below me, but by the state of affairs that can be observed. We live in a dangerous universe, and only by working together can we ensure the safety and prosperity of all our people. I go to work every morning, knowing that I will help not only the Veolian Commonwealth, but the Union."

Chancellor Nehket Aeka sounded very serious about her job.

"You are right, the position is stressful, but only by taking on challenges can you improve yourself. And what better way to improve yourself than be helping the Union to improve and grow beyond what it was yesterday?"

With a more playful voice she continued: "Besides, hemet veolians have no need for sleep. So every day, after working for sixteen hours, I still have roughly seven hours of time to relax, read a good story, watch a good holovid, play a few moves of Gateway, or enjoy the company of others."

[Elrinka]

"You seem very duty driven, Chancellor, and it is a most admirable quality in a politician.

However it does raise the question as to why you have not married yet... do you not feel it is your duty as the eldest unmarried daughter of House Nehket to marry?"

But before the Chancellor could answer, Elrinka laid the pressure on, leaning forward seemingly to intimidate the Veolian woman.

"As you mentioned, we live in a dangerous universe, and every day carries the risk of death or infertility. Do you not feel that in carrying out your duty as a politician, you are betraying the duties you have to your family and the universe to produce children and continue your genetic line? How much longer are you going to continue to risk becoming an evolutionary dead end?"

[Nehket Aeka]

For some reason the usually well-composed veolian senator seemed to get a bit nervous by Elrinka's interest in this subject.

"That is a very personal question, Elrinka. It is true that Veolian culture puts a lot of importance on continuing the family line.", the veolian was obviously stalling for time to come up with a reply.

"You are partly correct. My family, and especially my mother, has been very adamant that I find a husband soon. However, I think that my duties as a politician outweigh my duty to continue my genetic line. After all, most of my sisters are already married, and most of my brothers have been very successful with the ladies."

A slight brush crept up the cheeks of the chancellor.

"I am only 348 years old, which leaves me plenty of time to find a compatible husband after I retire from politics. Besides, every one of the forty-seven men that courted me last year had inferior genetics or some other negative quality. It is true that I feel a strong urge to mate, like any hemet veolian does. But I scarcely need a husband to satisfy such biological urges...", she left the sentence hanging in the air.

the chancellor's expression had the slightest hint of nervousness, and it was clear that she did not want to continue in this direction. But it seemed that her media training had abandoned her: it is very unwise to leave a statement hanging if you want to close the subject.

[Nehket Aeka]

Seemingly recovering some of her composure, Nehket Aeka quickly continued, no doubt to cover up her earlier uncertainty.

"Even though the great houses already kept meticulous genetic records, I am sure that the new genealogical archives will help me in my search for the perfect genetic match.

I've heard rumours that research is being done to gain a hundred percent increase in the available gene pool. Which, even though this sounds like a rather large exaggeration on the part of the researchers, does sound like great improvements will be made."

[Elrinka]

The Theelin feigned shock.

"I must apologize for my pressuring you on this Chancellor!" she stated empathetically "I did not realize how deep the issue went."

She smiled warmly to the Veolian woman, as if trying to comfort her.

"You are very brave to dare to admit on an intergalactic holonet show that unlike your brothers and sisters you are incapable of attracting a mate of adequate genetic quality, despite the various positions of power your family has secured for you. I hope future research will be able to help you attract a partner."

And without pause the journalist continued, knowing full well that the Chancellor could never allow such a remark to pass by without a reaction and that whatever her next question was, her target would have to head back to the issue to clarify.

"Do you believe your houses neutrality on so many crucial decisions for your people, such as joining the Union, has negatively affected their ability to make alliances?"

((OOC: Apologies, my journalist is turning out to be a little more brutal than originally planned T_T Hope its okay! If not, let me know, I'll dial it back.))

[Nehket Aeka]

The veolian senator did not look at all pleased with the direction the interview was taking. As an almost instinctive reaction, the eyes of the veolian woman grew brighter while she directed her attention towards Elrinka. Nehket Aeka's facial expression was one of controlled anger.

"I think you fail to grasp the implications of marriage in the Veolian culture, Elrinka.", she retorted. "Allow me to explain."

"Veolian Culture is very clear on the roles of men and women. If I were to marry, I would be viewed first and foremost as the representative of my husband. This would mean that I have to step down as the representative of the Veolian Commonwealth, as in the eyes of most veolians I would lose credibility as their representative.

The other great houses would pressure the emperor to assign another house that offers a candidate with less perceived bias. Especially because the various positions of power my family helped secure me, I am not willing to settle for any husband less than the perfect genetic match. I feel that my duties as a representative and politician outweigh my duty to marry."

She looked at Elrinka intensely for a moment, as if trying to determine something.

"I have decided that I might as well tell you the whole story: the fact that I have this position offers me the luxury of not marrying. I am ambiphilic with a strong inclination towards gynephilic, so I have no immediate desire to find a husband. Though even if I were to find my perfect match, I would marry him without hesitation. After all, marriage is for politics and children, not out of love or desire. Of course, he will have to wait until after I finished my term as chancellor."

"Now, if you really want to apologize, I invite you to do so in private. I would love to give you some pointers on veolian culture.", the senator wore a predatory smile while inviting Elrinka, intending to put her interviewer of balance. 'Two can play at that game', she thought to herself.

((OOC: There is little to apologize for. Elrinka is an interviewer, Nehket Aeka is a senator and the chancellor. She can handle it.))

[Elrinka]

Elrinka did not apologize. In fact, getting the Chancellor to admit to gynephilia on her holonet show was likely to send ratings soaring high - her low blow tactics had managed to get her to the juicy bits of personal data that would make her show a success.

Having gotten what she wanted to hear, she decided not to risk the Chancellor standing up and leaving, instead asking a more neutral question which related to her earlier query at the start of the interview.

"Would you consider yourself married to the Veolian Commonwealth and the Union at this time? Given that you are their representative, as you will be for your husband? And do you feel they are a perfect match for you at this time?"

[Nehket Aeka]

"That is an elegant way of looking at it. I think I could consider myself married as such, though I would have certain expectation of my 'husband'. I would want him to be strong enough to protect me and those I care about, I would want him to be rich enough to give me those materialistic things I desire, and above all I would want his genes to be strong. My husband's military is strong, but not capable of standing on its own. And my husband's wallet is hurt by those that only seek their own small gains. I am afraid I would find my husband lacking.

Overall, I would say that my 'husband' is not perfect. But his genes are strong, and with work he will become the perfect mate."

"And maybe I could have my 'husband' beat up the endless line suitors that vie for my hand?", she finished with a joking tone.

[Elrinka]

"Thank you Chancellor for your insights so far, we'll be right back with more questions!"

And with that, the show went to commercials for a moment as a small army of make-up artists started re-powdering efforts.

[Nehket Aeka]

In between two phases of the re-powdering efforts of the make-up artists, an attractive lethan twi'lek walked towards the chancellor. She wore just enough clothing to go into public without causing raised eyebrows, and what she wore appeared to be very expensive.

"You desired my presence, mistress.", she stated with downcast eyes and sounding very submissive.

"I take it that you checked the list of questions before accepting the interview?"

"Yes mistress."

"Was the question about my marriage on the list?"

"Yes, mistress.", she said with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes.

"Then you shall pay more attention to the questions next time, Serrah. You do not look forward to a repeat of this line of questioning."

"Of course, Mistress. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"No. You can spend the rest of the day at your leisure, but don't forget the appointment this evening.", the chancellor seemed to have lost any anger she had towards her slave.

"Thank you mistress."

The twi'lek woman gave the chancellor a playful peck on the cheek, incidentally completely ruining the work of the make-up artist. On her way out of the studio, the lethan twi'lek grabbed a moist make-up removal towelette, brushed the excess powder from her lips, mouthed a silent 'sorry' at the make-up artist, and left.

[CheapLagganiaCambria! (mask of Elrinka)]

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[Elrinka]

"Welcome back, I am Elrinka and this is 'Politicians Revealed', where I am interviewing Chancellor Nehket Aeka, to discover the person behind the politics."

The reporter welcomed the audience back in the show after the commercials had ended.

"Chancellor, your family are obviously very important to you. How do you feel about the neutrality your house has historically kept within the Veolian Commonwealth? Do you believe this has negatively affected your own political career? Is it more prudent to pick a side, so that at least one party will become your friend, rather than becoming marginalised by both sides of a conflict? Has your house changed its view on the Union, an issue it was no doubt neutral on before, since you taking up the mantle of Chancellor?"

[Nehket Aeka]

"It is true that our neutrality has not earned us any friends. However, through our neutrality we have become a speaking partner for all houses, and our opinion holds weight when we do vote on an issue. I think that our neutrality is one of the factors that helped in securing my position as Senator for the Veolian Commonwealth.

Many expected the empress Saret Neferti would represent our world. But as far as I have gathered, the emperor did not wish for this duty to fall on one of his wives, as this would limit their other activities and duties."

"House Nehket was indeed neutral on the issue of joining the Union. The final vote was 4 in favour, 1 against and 1 abstained. Thus, it was decided that the Commonwealth joined the Union. Over time, House Nehket has become more positive toward the Union."

[Elrinka]

"That seems to have worked out well for you then." The reporter noted, moving on to the next topic.

"As a Hemet Veolian you have quite an expanded lifespan. Could you tell us of the short lived races a little about this has affected your views on the world? With such a long lifespan, is it difficult to adapt to changing circumstances? And how does it feel to see friends and loved ones die of old age while you remain young for centuries, especially since your long lifespan is very much not the norm for your people...?"

Elrinka seemed to have taken a milder tone after the commercial break, but the chancellors political instincts told her that there might still be something hidden under the waterline. No way would a seasoned reporter drop a successful strategy like that over a commercial break. She was up to something...

[Nehket Aeka]

"As you know, we are not born as hemet. The change usually occurs during puberty, and at that moment in your life you do not yet realize that you will live for what seems forever. For me, this realization sunk in when a close friend died of old age. She was 83 years old.

Over time you get used to it. Your friends and loved ones, as far as they are not hemet, die of old age while you remain. In a way, it offers them comfort. They know that when they die, you will still remember them and can tell their family of their lives. I have heard that it is especially hard for hemet parents of non-hemet children."

"Hemets can be very emotional and passionate about what they set out to do, and do not fear change. So I don't think that we have more difficulty with adapting to changing circumstances than normal species. After a few hundred years we come to see that rash actions are unwise, and some of us do like take our time to see the effects of such changes before fully committing ourselves.

I think that we tend to take into account a larger group of developments when we plan for the future. We recognize not only the developments younger races tend to emphasize, but the slower developments as well, and plan ahead accordingly. Races with a shorter life span might overlook such slow developments, but still be affected by them over the course of generations."

[Elrinka]

"Is your Hemet nature the reason why your species practices slavery? It is well known you have your own personal slave. Do you feel that since she will die in a few decades, her life is not valuable and it is therefore acceptable to keep her as a possession? As I understand, the Veolian culture prizes slaves highly, but an expensive object is still an object."

This question was definitely not on the approved question list, and moreover, it was a lot more venomous and subtle than the previous direct assault - that had been blunt, trying to punch a confession out of the chancellor. This was a blow below the belt: a painful reminder of the mortality of her beloved slave.

[Nehket Aeka]

Though she wanted to stand up and leave the interviewer without a guest, Nehket Aeka did not. Walking away now could be construed as failing to stand up for what the Veolians believe in, and would open all kinds of political attacks on her person.

"On the contrary, Elrinka. I value her life very highly. Serrah is a skilled economist and negotiator. She has been my companion during the last 18 years, and I hope she remains my companion for many years to come."

"You make it sound as if slavery is a bad thing, or something that we should be ashamed of. But it isn't. The reason we practice slavery is because we recognize talent and beauty when we see it, and because we can not be in multiple places at the same time.

So, the strong protect the weak, and in return the weak support the strong. I take on the full responsibility for my slaves' lives, their security, their health, their every breath. And in return, they support me in any way I ask. I am proud to own the slaves I have, to take away their burdens and to allow them to fully focus themselves on honing their skills."

[Elrinka]

"I must say I do not follow you there Chancellor. Could you please explain to me why it is required that you own people in order to help them?

It seems to me that if you actually wanted to help them, you could do so without robbing them of their freedom and person-hood. Taking ownership is an inherently selfish act, meant only for your benefit, not the slaves.

Is this also how you see the Union? As your possession, for which you will decide what is best, rather than letting its members decide that for themselves?"

[Nehket Aeka]

"I think you confuse 'help' with 'responsibility'. We are very well capable of helping others, as can be seen from our desire to aid the Slave Rebellion refugees, or our contributions to the Sentienatarian Aid Mission. Taking on full responsibility for the actions of another requires much more than just the desire to help them.

I fail to see how owning a person robs them of the person-hood. Serrah is my property, but that doesn't make her any less of a person. She is still in control of her own actions. In fact, I place myself in a very vulnerable position with respect to her: I accept the consequences of any action she takes. If she were to kill someone I will take full responsibility for her actions, even if this meant taking her place in any punishment decided upon.

You are fully aware of the fact that I have the utmost respect for the Union and its way of deciding which course we take. However, I think this is enough hostility for one interview, Elrinka. If you wish to ask any further questions, it would be best if they were of a less hostile nature."

[Elrinka]

"Would you ever accept to be a slave?"

The question was short and to the point, but Elrinka had everyone in the studio in dead silence.

[Nehket Aeka]

Taking advantage of the situation, Nehket Aeka used the silence to lend weight to her answer.

"Yes."

"If my prospective owner is powerful enough to protect me from my enemies, and influential enough to offer me a style of life that fits my noble station, I would accept to be his or her slave."

[Elrinka]

"Indeed..." the silence remained and Elrinka seemed to have been brought off balance by the answer for a moment.

"Would you say your relationship with the Union is more of a marriage or a position of slavery then?"

It was a bit of a shot in the dark, but as 'yes' was not part of her plan, it was better than remaining silent.

[Nehket Aeka]

"We have been over that already, Elrinka", the veolian interviewee replied with a sweet smile, "As I told you just before the commercials, I would characterize my relationship with the Union as a marriage."

[Elrinka]

"Indeed Chancellor. However I cannot get past the point that you rob someone of their freedom and personhood, turning them into an object to be possessed and I cannot see how one could bloom under such circumstances.

Regardless, some very controversial points were raised here tonight and though I am quite sure many of our viewers do not agree with you, I hope that at least tonight's interview has at least made it clear to them how you see things.

Chancellor, thank you for your presence in the studio and your willingness to be a part of... Politicians Revealed."

With that, the camera light turned off as the channel switched once again to commercials to go to the next program.