Indeed, the likes of Sartorus wield enormous influence. Their word can save or condemn millions.
Before the dissolution of the Senate the Emperor needs to get many of his decisions voted in. But in emrgency areas... all he needs to do is have the right people on the Commission. It already has emergency power invested in it from the Old Republic days...
As for the OT game- in theory, but we'll see.
Well, my character would like to get Andran after all. It was weird that apparently a correct way was to break into his ship for evidence, which would seem as quite unsubtle way to deal with such an influential and smart opponent. And how I got frustrated almost entire game that I don`t have access to Lodge Captains that could perhaps be easier to deal with than Drakkon himself....only to discover that one of them would try to kill poor Commisar on first sight...