Decius Taurinus
{{The Exarch of Taurica, Decius Taurinus, gets up and walks to the center of the chamber.
The years weigh heavily on him and he is using a cane in his right hand to support a leg injury from the recent fighting and other scars on his arms and legs. He surveys the surrounding senators with a cold look before beginning.}}
In my years of serving the Empire, I have given all my strength and my skills for the Empire. I carry many wounds that I have gladly won for our great Imperium and in the service of our great Emperor. And so it pains me when any true Roman blood is spent unnecessarily.
We first gathered this senate six years ago with such optimism, harboring dreams of conquest, exploration, and riches from the East. {{Looks coldly at some of the more vocal merchants}}
We let ourselves become consumed in petty squabbles among factions and personal disagreements, and many wished to place their own interests before those of the Empire, dreaming of fortunes to be won from trade, of distant expeditions, all while giving only a half hearted support for the reform and strengthening of the Imperial Military that the Empire so dearly needs.
And while all this happened, the Horde learned of our quarrels, they heard of how hollow much of the support was for the military, and they prepared for an invasion, an invasion that lost us land, man brave Roman soldiers, and claimed the life of my eldest son Zeno.
I buried my son after the battle of Kuban when he was slain leading a charge against the enemy lines, trying to win victory against the brute force of the barbarian horsemen, sadly only one of the many brave Romans killed in that war.
I myself fought alongside our noble forces in the north, and from that war I now carry many new wounds, a barbarian crippled my leg during the battle of Yedishkul, and I buried many friends and comrades, brave Romans who gave their lives for the Imperium.
The armies of the Empire are still as brave, as devoted, and as determined as ever, but the senate must continue to give its full support to the military to ensure our success. For all of our efforts, for all of the sacrifices, we lost that war, the Imperium again was forced to give up more territory and condemned more souls to life under the ruthless barbarians.
To suggest that we should neglect the continuing strengthening of the military is not only madness but treason, it spits on the graves of those Romans who were slain in the war, and will invite our enemies to descend on us once more.
I propose that we continue the reform of the military, ensuring that the Empire’s defenses are strong enough to repulse any future invasion, so that then we may bring about the reconquest of Egypt and when the Emperor’s wisdom allows, avenge our defeat by the Horde and sends the Horsemen to the fate that awaits them.
We cannot let ourselves be distracted with false treasures and selfish ambitions, the Imperium stands at a crossroads and we must choose the right path before it is too late.
I stand with the Reds and the continuing support of the Imperial Military, to make the legions strong and bring low all the barbarians who shed Roman blood! And I hope that all true Romans will stand with me!
{{Returns to his seat and sits with a look of determination}}