Yes, it has a noticable military, both in foot strength and ships. And although they use terms like 'taxation', it is really just forced tribute. They may not be pirates any more but they are still using force to extract money, and that holds the whole thing together.
The transmission is in fact the equivalent of a State of the Union address by the Emperor. it is his hame that I have temporarily forgotten and will have for you soon.
He's a bit of a sinister nut- played by Donald Pleasance, in full Blofeld mode. He does these addresses quite often, though 'rants' would be a better term. He transmits to the whole Empire- though he makes it an open transmission for all around to hear, so you guys can receive it, as can much of the galaxy if it wants to listen- talking about how great and awesome a. he is and b. the Empire is, and how weak and feeble a. his opponents are b. the entire Republic is and c. everyone who is avoiding taxes is, or at least will be when his collectors cut off various bits of them.
Rand listens to the transmission as the Emperor of the Treganna Void rants and raves about his own strengths and the weaknesses of his opponents. Perhaps Rand has heard such things before, but he does not quite find it terribly interesting as the Dark Siders of Epireus have no reason to travel out so far... at least, not yet.
You are indeed wondeirng why Tanic has bothered you so, though he is standing there with a 'just you wait' expression on his face.
"... and they said that 'mere' pirates could never run an Empire, could never be a true power in the Galaxy. Well, I say this to all of you. Our power groes stronger each day. Where is the strength of the mighty Republic? Where is their battle fleet, their army? Run by bureaucrats and businessmen, it falls apart at the edges, it unravels more and more until the whole will fall in upon itself. Already woprlds cry out for independence, for a strong hand to lead them in this era of chaos and confusion. The effete and ineffectual Senate trades words on Corsucant whilst their people starve, they wither under such weakness. Where are these people that spoke down about us so now? Dare they come before us and speak their words again? has the Republlic ever done anything to confrt us, to stop us, to slow our power? Us, who took what we wanted from them and then made this place our own. What have they done other than roll on their backs and submit, feigning disinterest but actually showing their weakness!
"Oh, but I know what some of you are thinking. What of the Jedi?"
"Ohh, the vaunted Jedi... hah! Those stunted lapdogs of the Senate, trying to keep alive the long-extinguished flame of a forgotten past- and forgotten with good reason. Their ancient weapons and tricks are no power at all- their numbers are few, their ability to maker any change small. if the Jedi were great, then the Republic with them would be great also. But the Republic is weak, and this shows the Jedi are weak also.
"Many of you listening to me are weak as well. You do not believe what I say, despite the clear obviousness of my vision and the logic of my words. The mystique of the Jedi befuddles you. You let myth and rumour delude you into thinking they are as Gods! Well, they are far from Gods- they are just men, part of a weak system that infests them with weakness too.
"Well. For those of you who are so deluded- no longer do you simply have to rely on my words, enough as they should be for anyone. For I have proof of their weakness... and my strength!
"Where they have failed, I have succeeded. Where they had to pretend there was nothing more to do, that it was all over, ended... the hiding words of a coward! Where they have done all this, I have succeeded. Our power has succeeded, where theirs could not! our superiority is clear to all!
"For a few days ago, we apprehended the notorious renegade and criminal Larios Kuylen! And he is now my prisoner..."
And that is where we end things!
"My point? I agree with you, Xavier, my friend. You are wise for a dedicated warrior. We need Larios Kuylen, former Jedi Knight, for his genetic code that shall get us closer to uncovering of the mystery we have stumbled upon. But do we need him as our Master and Lord? I am sure that you all but Galder agree that that man has yet to demonstate his greatness to us." Gallador speaks softly but end on firmer note.
Rand frowns. While he realizes that the genetic code of Kuylen unlock more secrets on the path to finding out what the Syphar n Kalar is, he senses his chances of leadership are greatly threatened by both Kuylen and Adelmo, both of whom he will expect to see in the Treganna Void.
"I respect Kuylen for the threat he posed to the Republic," Rand says. "But he is no more powerful than I. Simply a lethal swordsman. But he is only one man."
"We," Xavier says referring to just himself, "reserve judgment on the matter. Let us stay on the task at hand. A surprise opportunity has presented itself to us. It is best to think on how we can exploit it to our fullest advantage."
"You are just one man as well Rand," Xavier says in an uncaring tone.
"Still, Master Rand here is the most experienced among us, and much as I disagree with some of the ways of the Jedi Council, they would never award the rank of the Master to anyone else than formidable individual. "- He sighs.
"Besides, without me and Rand you would never learn about what Adelmo and propably Kuylen are after. Truth is, we all need each other skills to survive. And now we shall show that so-called "Emperor" not to understimate the power of the Force."
"We don`t need to fight armies, only kidnap him- which should be easier than stealing that damm tablet, I hope....
And Rianna, don`t you want to solve the mystery of Syphar n Kalar that you already helped with, proving that you have useful skills in other areas than fighting? What else there is for us to do?"
Then he grins after Tanic`s words.
"Well, it would only work if the manner of execution allows for the body to be recovered..."