Depends on who you ask.

As the engines of the transport roar to life, I take a look around the cabin. The deep crimson plush carpet has begun to fade, and wear thin. The silver trim on the furniture has become dull, and unpolished. The crew is distinctly lacking in skill. Eliza notices my gaze, and seems to radiate a freezing rage. The cabin crew now move with hurried, fearful movement. As they scurry around the cabin, they refuse to look into my eyes. Their cowed demeanor is unsettling, and makes me feel like a monster. I turn my gaze to Eliza, and shake my head very briefly. A moment passes, as she considers the meaning of my gestures. Then, she simulates a deep, calming breath, and relaxes. Almost instantly, the sense of fear and oppression is gone from the cabin, and the crew is more relaxed. However, the memory remains, and they are hesitant to be around me or Eliza for any stretch of time. The trip passes in silence, as I contemplate what it really means to rule such a massive domain, and struggle to comprehend my power.

The transport soon arrives at the headquarters of the state run media. The door opens, and as I step out, I see the signs of disrepair, and a sense of weariness from the area. The streets have faded, litter has gathered in alleyways, and the people move slowly, without purpose or dive. A frown settles on my face, and a thought strikes me. 'These are my citizens. Even if it didn't help me to improve their lives, they are still my duty. They are my families' duty. This shouldn't have happened.' I put the thought out of my mind, and focus on the upcoming meeting. I step through the glass doors in to the Banfield News Network Tower, and breeze through security. I board the elevator, and select the stage floor. The ride is jolting, and uncomfortable. My sense of unease grows, as I feel a deep wrongness within my territory. Eventually, we arrive at the stage floor, and I am led immediately onto the interview stage. There, I see a mildly attractive woman sitting at a desk, and a plush armchair reserved for me. I sit in the chair, and almost sink into it. However, it doesn't feel as delightful as it should. Lumps have formed in the cushion, as if the chair has been in use far longer than it should have. When I greet the interviewer, I can see that she truly would have been beautiful, with her well formed body, sharp, graceful face, and long hair. However, time has not been kind to her. Like everything else in I have seen outside my palace, she seems worn down.

"Lisa, it's wonderful to meet you. How have you been?" I hold my hand out to her, and she gives it firm, solid shake. "Lord Banfield, it is and honor to host your first official press conference. I'm doing wonderfully, thank you for asking." I suppress a frown when she says she is doing wonderfully, given how blatantly false that statement is. "But, we're not here to talk about my health. Lord Banfield, many are wondering why you have made such radical policy changes in such a short time, and what your plans are for the future." I lean back in the chair, and ensure my pose is relaxed, and confident. "Well Lisa, it's simple. My people are on the brink of starvation, and my infrastructure is crumbling. The citizens are worn down and hopeless. This situation can not be allowed to continue. To that end, I have restructured my house's finances, so I can afford to invest in the territory. The first, and most obvious investment, is the food shipments I have set up. After all, It doesn't matter what buildings or policies I make if all my people have starved to ****."

Lisa stares at me for a moment, clearly unsure of how to react. She blinks briefly, but at the urging of her producer, she resumes the interview. "Well, Lord Banfield, that is a far more, blunt, take on the situation than I expected. I must admit, I am baffled by your reasoning. Why are you taking such a personal interest in the well-being of your citizens? The last-" Lisa cuts herself off, and terror is clear on her face. I smirk, and say what she was about to. "Don't worry about it, Lisa. My parents and grandparents were asinine leaders, who's only method of raising income was to raise taxes, and to a point that effectively ruined the territory. Me? I'm taking a different route, mainly because we've reached a point where any tax increase would effectively be a **** sentence." Lisa sighs in relief, and asks a bold question. "Then, Lord Banfield, what is your new method of raising wealth, and how does it relate to the food imports. After all, I know that feeding an entire galaxy cannot be easy." I flash a grin, happy to answer that question. "That's an easy one, Lisa. I'm investing in the territory, as if it were a business. To use an ancient metaphor, I'm letting the sheep grow wool before I shear them." The rest of the interview passes into minutia about my plans, and I spend hours reassuring my people that I'm different from the last two lords.

However, the final question of the interview presents me with a challenge, and forces me to think carefully about my answer. "Lord Banfield, why are you caring so much about your people? Wouldn't it be easier to just tax them, and get money that way?" That question, asking at the heart of my motivations, is one that I know the answer to easily. But, I know that the truth risks instability, and outrage at a time I can least afford them. I open my mouth to lie, when a flash of movement catches my eye. I turn to it, and see reflection of myself in a window. I see a confident, self assured leader, and think back to the previous questions I answered. Each one could have stirred some anger in my citizens, and taken together they are already enough to spark outrage that the situation has fallen so far. I chuckle quietly to myself, and decide to go all in on my brutal honesty. "Well, Lisa, the answer to that question is self interest. It's not a sense of noble duty, or honor, but base self interest. The more my people have, the more I can take from them. And right now, you basically have nothing worth taking. In addition to that, the better I manage my territory, the better I look at court. On a smaller scale, it's a matter of ego. I find it unpleasant to rule over a broken mass of terrified serfs." I shrug, knowing that the answer isn't going to be a popular one, but I feel that it will reflect on me, and establishes me an honest politician. Lisa gives me a uncertain look, as if she uncertain how to handle my answer. "Well, Lord Banfield, I think we should end on that note. Thank you for answering my questions, and have a good night." I shake her hand on last time, and walk of the stage, ride down the elevator, and fly home to my mansion. As I cross the threshold into the manor house, a wave of weariness washes over me. I walk directly to my bedroom, and flop down on the bed, not even bothering undress.