Yairhoff Haydenn appeared on television, in the evening news. He was sitting in a comfortable desk, beside a fire, and had a very grave look on his face. Most everyone knew about the tragedy at Temar by now, though there was an effort being made not to incite panic in the general populace. But really, you can't hide it when one of the colonies suddenly explodes. And the nation was weeping.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Yairhoff spoke, "I speak to you today, not as a senatorial candidate, and not as an ex-Hand agent, but as a Zarethian. The loss we have received today is crippling. As many of you already know, brave men and women have given their lives in the pursuit of this dream which we set out to make a reality nine years ago. You see, my friends, we are a free people, and we have gained our freedom by the sweat of our brow. We will not blink in the face of terrorism, and it is up to each and every one of us to do our part.
"It is for that very reason that I hereby officially resign my eligibility for senator. I feel compelled to offer my services to the government in this time of need, and the best way for me to execute the duties bestowed upon me as a citizen of this great empire is to seek to use the skill-sets which I have gained over the years, and use them to the best of my ability. As many of you are aware, it is against Zarethian law for a senator to hold multiple offices in the empire. I thereby must resign myself from, at least temporarily, the political sphere. I would like to thank all my supporters, and everyone who's been with us throughout this entire ride -- including the biggest supporter of all, my wife, without whom I would be useless. I would also like to congratulate my opponent on his victory, and I look forward to joining him in discussing how to build tomorrow in the future. Thank you, and good night, everyone."
