[The Omniverse - The High Galactic Senate]
The High Galactic Senate was a colossal amphitheater of floating ivory podiums, where the elected representatives of a thousand dimensions debated cosmic law.
At the center podium, Senator Valerian—a righteous Paladin of the old order—was passionately addressing the assembly.
"The Pantheon Group has gone too far!" Senator Valerian's voice echoed with divine fury. "Victor Thorne has monopolized the air, enslaved our heroes with predatory student loans, and trapped our merchants with chokepoint tariffs! Today, I propose the 'Omniversal Fair Pricing Act'! This bill will strictly cap the cost of healing potions and legally break up Abyssal Dynamics!"
The senate erupted into cheers. The politicians were finally ready to strike back against the Tycoon.
In the VIP viewing gallery, Princess Ignis ground her teeth, her demonic armor clinking. "They're going to pass the law, Victor. Let me drop down there and burn the Senate to ash."
"We do not assassinate democratically elected officials, Ignis," Victor Thorne said smoothly, his impeccably tailored suit absorbing the brilliant light of the Senate floor. "Political martyrdom creates idealists. We fight legislation with lobbying."
Victor tapped his gold-nibbed pen against the Tycoon's Ledger. He turned to Elara, his Growth Partner.
"Elara, register a new corporate entity," Victor ordered coldly. "Name it 'Citizens for a Brighter, Heroic Future.' Register it as an independent Political Action Committee. A Super PAC."
Elara rapidly tapped her glowing datapad. "Registered. But Victor, the vote is happening in ten minutes! We can't legally bribe them on the Senate floor!"
"It isn't a bribe. It's a campaign contribution protected under corporate speech," Victor smiled a ruthless, predatory smile.
Victor deployed his Tycoon's Aura, projecting a localized telepathic frequency directly into the earpieces of the top fifty undecided Senators.
"Senators," Victor's voice whispered into their minds, smooth and suffocating. "My Super PAC has just deposited twenty million Omni-Credits into each of your re-election campaigns. Furthermore, upon your retirement from public office, Abyssal Dynamics guarantees each of you a seat on our Board of Directors, complete with a seven-figure annual salary for 'consulting' services."
Down on the floor, fifty Senators suddenly froze. Their eyes widened as they checked their hidden financial monitors.
"In exchange," Victor continued, "I require a small amendment to Senator Valerian's bill. Add a regulatory exemption for any corporation that generates over five trillion credits in annual gross revenue."
Senator Valerian slammed his gavel. "We shall now vote on the Omniversal Fair Pricing Act to destroy the Tycoon!"
The lead undecided Senator quickly stood up. "I support this bill! But... to protect the economy, we must add a minor amendment exempting top-tier enterprise providers from the price caps!"
Before Valerian could object, the bribed Senators aggressively pushed the amendment through. The bill passed into cosmic law.
"What just happened?!" Valerian screamed, reading the updated law. "You just exempted Thorne's entire conglomerate! This price cap only hurts the independent potion shops! You just made his monopoly stronger!"
Up in the gallery, Victor checked his gold pocket watch, the sharp click sealing the fate of the Senate. He had successfully weaponized the government against his own competitors using pure, legalized corruption.