I’ll never forget the first Xi’an ship I saw. Its form was familiar, but strange; its presence beautiful, but menacing. As a little girl standing awestruck at a spaceport on Oya III, the xeno-craft made me feel uneasy yet excited. Fascinated, I studied all I could about Xi’an ships and came to appreciate that beneath the obvious differences there were many more similarities to be found. This realization inspired my lifelong belief that studying and learning are vital steps towards empathy and understanding.

My discussions with people across the Empire have revealed a similar mixture of excitement and apprehension about our current state of affairs. I can not deny that we currently face monumental challenges, from a horrific war against a merciless enemy to vast economic inequality, yet thanks to my experience as a researcher and scientist, I refuse to let fear dictate my future and choose instead to focus on the promise before us.

I believe the ills of the Empire can be addressed through education and innovation. I will fight to reshape the UEE central government into an institution that improves the lives of its constituents by cultivating knowledge and inspiring change. A new Empire awaits us, if we’re brave enough to create it.