JEDI HoloNet

Despite strong, positive turns in the war effort by the superior quality of the troops under Governor-General Ruun’s command, what some have described as a ‘Senatorial Coup’ has taken place as mass opposition groups were organised into one vote of no confidence, only narrowly won by the Chief of State. This, compiled with unending protests, has prompted Chief of State Grallig to resign, provoking a leadership election and throwing the continuation of the Vohai conflict up in the air. Compiled with this, leading anti-war Senators compiled an official denunciation of the war, formalising a clear public mandate for peace processions to take place led by Jedi peacekeepers.

The Jedi Order has also received a strong level of criticism by the inner-core populations due to their role in the conflict as military leaders. One Senator, who wished to stay anonymous, described them as the “angelic architects of death and destruction.” Governor-General Ruun has chosen to not comment on the current proceedings, but a leak has told Holonews that he is “absolutely livid”, recorded as raging through his chambers aboard the RSN Firefly. Many pro-war protestors have found support in populist leaders, their rhetoric calling this act by the Senate a “betrayal of democracy” and a “victory for tyranny, with the power swept from [our] feet”.

Due to the complicated nature of the civil war, it is unclear what kind of peace can be achieved, if any. The main settlement will have to be between the Revolutionary Council and the Republic, as both of them now control vast swathes of the planet, but there are several factions in between that are not only demanding some form of recognition in any new government, but fundamental changes to the laws that once presided over the planet.

Despite the controversy, Holonews wants to wish the best to the diplomats, and hope that the conflict soon comes to a resolute end!

Tragic news from a suburban area of Coruscant. This morning a mother and her son were attacked by a disheveled man wielding a lightsaber in a public market! The mother, later identified as Andrya Locke, was killed protecting her son, Victor Locke, from the man. The man was restrained and the child saved from harm due to the combined efforts of good samaritans. The assailant’s identity has not been shared with GSN. We now share a witness account from “Tin Bo” who was there at the scene.

“I was buying some fruit when I heard and saw that Jedi’s lasersword, er- lightsaber. It came out of nowhere! He attacked that lady and her kid, and I darn think he killed her before I saw several men tackle and pin the Jedi to the ground. I mean, I think he was a Jedi? He looked messed up, so maybe not. I think the Jedi should keep better track of their wackos. They’re dangerous! I just feel bad for the kid, having to witness his mother get killed like that.”

The Coruscant authorities have promised to share details as they are uncovered during this investigation. The man is now in Republic custody and the child in the safe hands of the authorities. No motive has been discovered. The Jedi Order has refused to comment on this horrific event.

Is this a Jedi cover up? More as things unfold.

As the conflict broils on the planet’s surface of Vohai, Mother Mu’la, the leader of the Revolutionary Council speaks to the Galaxy and her “children” in a plea for help and statement of resilience.

“In this grave hour, perhaps the most fateful in our new history, I send to every household, trench and crater of my peoples, both at home and overseas, this message, spoken
with the same depth of feeling for each one of you as if I were able to cross your threshold and speak to you myself.For the second time in the lives of most of us we are at war. First, in the halls of riotous streets, and now again whence the enemy comes to our shores. Over and over again we have tried to find a peaceful way out of the differences between ourselves and those who are now our enemies. But it has been in vain. We have been forced into a conflict. For we are called, with our principles of freedom to what may feel to be alone. But our freedom is not so lonely, for each of us feels it burn within our hearts, and occupy our minds in the darkest of days. The principle of freedom that lives within all of us, all of us together, we will unite to fight for this fundamental right of being, belonging each and only to every single one of us.

It is the negligence of this principle which permits a state, in the selfish pursuit of power, to disregard its solemn pledges to those that they would call their people. An institution we would long call home exists no longer, and the foul creation that has taken its name is no friend of ours. If this loss of principle were established throughout the world, not only would the freedom of our own land echo its last breath throughout the Galaxy, but so too would the life of all free peoples. Under the servitude of such corrupt, negligent creations, there is no life. Not here, and not for this Galaxy. A poor, grim existence, where one does not know their place as little as they know themselves.

So let it be said, if even we should lose our last beach and burn our last blaster, the Galaxy will know that this was our finest hour. Let it be etched by each of our hands into the annuls of history, forever more, an independent Vohai. This is the ultimate issue which confronts us. For the sake of all that we ourselves hold dear, and of the world’s order and peace, it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge. It is to this high purpose that I now call my people at home and my peoples across the seas, who will make our cause their own. I ask them to stand calm, firm, and united in this time of trial. The task will be hard. There may be dark days ahead, and war can no longer be confined to only the battlefield. But we can only do the right as we see the right, and reverently commit our cause to freedom. If one and all we keep resolutely faithful to it, ready for whatever service or sacrifice it may demand, then, in good time, we shall prevail.”

The industrial centres of major Core planets, mainly Coruscant and Corellia, have been gripped by a slew of riots and anti-War protests, largely led by students and activists spurred on by a Senatorial clique known as the ‘No War Group’.

While most areas of protest consist of marching and ‘sit-ins’ of Government offices, water cannons were deployed to District 13 of Coruscant after a Representative of the Hapan Consortium was bombarded with eggs and blue milk for expressing their support of ‘crushing sedition’, to which the Chief of State has yet to officially comment on. On Corellia, Governor-General Ruun ‘loyalists’ were out in groves and engaged in some brief street brawls against the anti-war protestors, but both groups were dispersed by Planetary Authorities.

Will the Chief of State be able to control public opinion?

In a rare public appearance, Empress Bellitria Fel spoke to members of the media this morning, addressing a number of social and political issues that have been sweeping the Empire in recent months. Of particular note is comments she made regarding the ongoing crisis on Vohai..

“We of course wish a fast resolution to the crisis on Vohai with as little loss of life as possible. The Republic and the Senate are of course in every right to protect the lives of its citizens on Vohai in this conflict, although the people of Vohai We would argue should also be allowed to determine their own fate. It’s ironic that a galactic government that is supposed to be founded on the principles of ‘democracy and freedom’ appears to have forgotten this, while worlds are free to join and leave the Empire as they please.
In any case, we hope the situation is resolved quickly.”

The Empress’ comments quickly drew sharp criticism from people within the Republic Senate.