A/N: I'm going to try something new here. There will be votes in the news session! Not huge ones, but they might effect some options next turn, and they do have consequences.
Turn One News
Economy Roll: 1d100+10 (Lenient policies)+5 (Figure out Stewardship Budget)+5 (Military Budget known)-5 (What's Our Black Budget)+5 (Colony connections anticipated to be reopened)-5 (Taxed like sin)+5 (Optimism)-5 (No Stewardship Advisor)+11 (Stewardship)=1d100+31=87, above average.
Local
Fundamentals of the Economy?: Despite the problems, the economy chugs along. Not entirely, the factories of some places are closed, still, but more than expected people return to their daily lives, hug their kids, eat their grubs or fowl or whatever they wish, and the economy grows. Hope, perhaps, is there, and the policies of Vorzhan, whose very title hasn't been worked out, but certainly not King, seem to be working. There are reports of their discussion with important figures, their reconciliation, the way--in the judicial muddle of reform--the caste restrictions aren't being held to as well, and so despite the heavy taxes coming in on things like purchases, risk-taking spreads. Not all of it wise, some of the investments don't pay off in trade, but the upswing generates more money moving back and forth, and against all expectation, bouyed by the relatively modest aims of the revolution thus far--though still weary--the economic elites don't run, don't attempt to flee the planet or try to sabotage the economy. (+100 Wealth from increased taxes and public faith in your government, allowing you to inflate the currency a bit with less economic worries, per turn starting next turn.)
A People Unleashed: Music, movies, games, entire festivals dedicated to things that wouldn't see the light of day. People party in the street early on, and even half a year later there are a lot more outdoor meetings to discuss politics, or watch explosions, or engage in any number of a thousand hobbies and interest. The world is waking up, or so it seems, from a deep slumber, and while some of that activity is economic, much of it is cultural. Which brings up the defense forces and permits. Some gatherings have come about without the proper permits, which are expensive and currently restricted, requiring approval from a high-ranking military official who, at the moment, is rather too lost for the job. Thus a few choices present themselves.
[] Abolish Permits: Let the people meet however they want, it won't hurt anything, other than your pocket-book a little. (-100 Wealth a turn, people meet more freely and meet more.)
[] Keep them as is: At the moment every bit of money you can get your hands on is needed.
[] Attempt to streamline them, but still require them. (Short term loss of -25 Wealth a turn, less restrictions, might lead to more people paying the fees. Roll 1d100+Stewardship, target DC=40.)
A Song That Sweeps: Songs and dance are a part of literally every culture that has ever reached the stars, and there are albums and videos galore on Gazinitah. Were even during the days before the revolution. But with anti-government Bazkhiti now the mainstream, many make it big, really big. And one, Beskis the "Bard" (she uses a recording of a human saying that word and has some rather daring cyber modifications that allow her to incorporate human rhyme schemes and some of their beats and musical patterns into her work) has made a huge splash. Number one on most of the charts, she was sworn that all profits shall go towards the children of Gazinitah. And thus, by her donations and those she's inspired, for the next two turns you have 100 Wealth a turn earmarked towards education. What do you do with it?
[] Add it to what's spent on education directly.
[] Use it to replace some of the 500 you spend a turn, making a surplus for other use, but not increasing funding in reality, instead holding it steady.
[] Save it to spend on Learning projects having to do with Education.
What is it Good For?: With the demand for internal security slacking, many less-than-willing recruits are quitting, as are less martial defense forces. It's not a flood, more a steady trickle, but on a certain scale it's huge, hundreds of thousands demobilizing, representing several percents of the 10-million strong army sitting around, there to...restore order. The question of what that means is clear in everyone's eyes, as is the fact that many of their comrades have been revealed to be less than savory. (60 Wealth less spending, taken from Police and Infantry primarily, as well as support staff. Which means more money starting next turn to move around as you see fit.)
[] Add it to a category
-[] What?
[] Use it to reduce the loans granted by the Iashec, even if it's a bucket against the ocean.
Intergalactic News
A New Government: The intergalactic government isn't sure what to make of the new Gazinitah government. It's withdrawn its ambassadors, kept its tax system and kept to its treaties, and the reconcilliation could be anywhere between a good and a bad move, but it hasn't made any risky ploys and word has gotten out about the lack of state censorship seen so far, and other promising signs that at least for the moment have kept democracy-watchers and the like hopeful. (International interest somewhat positive, more economic activities might be done, somewhat increased chance for businesses to get foreign loans. Potentially some level of tourism as 'observers' come and go.)
Ilwari Raid: The Ilwari have found and raided another slaving den, this one using cloned Ilwari to provide erotic pleasures to its clients, as well as hosting cloned-Barsa bouncers and other exotic attractions for the humans. Including two Xvorzit. If Gazinitah actually had signed the treaty, they'd get them back just like that, but instead they are stuck in limbo, and the case will no doubt soon leak to the public.
[] Send a representative to try to get them back, and then care for them (-5 wealth for specialized care if they agree, doing a good deed, DC: ???)
[] Don't send one, it's a matter that can be figured out later.
Moved to Tears: On a larger scale, the human intergalactic music scene continues. One particularly popular singer has begun a tour meant to draw attention to the importance of democracy and hope, having come from a rather war-torn human polity. Ulla, always called by her first name, is rather wildly popular, selling multi-billions in song and album sales, as well as, of course, billions of illegal but unprosecutable downloads on top of that. Her tour is selling out, and even some Barsan and other worlds are booking her, riding off the back that every species has a segment of their population obsessed with the culture of each and every single other species. As a new democracy, Gazinitah could request a show.
[] Yes, send someone to talk to her 'people' and work out time and schedules (-25 Wealth, DC ???, Potentially large foreign and domestic opinion boost.)
[] No, it's too likely to be brushed aside, and besides, that's wealth that could be used otherwise. (Nothing happens, she keeps on going, passes Gazinitah by on her way to Yalinea, another Hive World, known for its long-standing democracy, that *has* requested a show.)
Elections: In other news, a major parlimentary election was held on Sol and its member-planets, amid argument and controversy. But by a centrist alliance and owing to an impressive showing by its party leader, the PLK, there is a new government in charge of Sol and overseeing its member-worlds provincial governments. The new Prime-Minister is Mutumbo, apparently the nephew of a famous Sol Navy Captain. Cabinets will no doubt soon be set up, arguments started, but for the moment the most powerful democracy in human history rested at another peaceful turning point. Similar, it seemed to Vorzhan, to all that their own transition turned out to be. Peaceful. They aren't a scholar, and even Kikkizit has only some ideas as to their politics, though increased investment in foreign affairs and movements against internal corruption were apparently some of the topics of the latest election.
[] A representative could be sent to congratulate the new government and try to re-open diplomacy, though it might come off as too desperate or favor-seeking, but it could be a welcome topic. It's hard to tell. (DC ???)
[] A quiet word could be sent through channels to make a public announcement along the lines of 'congratulations on the peaceful transition of power'
[] No, it's too hasty and might be viewed badly by those watching, such as the Iashec.
[] Perhaps you have an even crazier idea? Send yourself? Attack his government? Write-it-in!
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