JEDI HoloNet

A scene from the Senate Ways and Means Committee meeting 440.18
A recent dramatic event of pirate-on-pirate activity in the sparsely-populated Nam Chorios system in the Meridian Sector has sparked a heated debate over trade, taxes, and border security in the Senate Dome on Coruscant. Adding to the debate over the last cycle about transport restrictions for biological materials, Senators from the Diplomat party have already proposed hard-line policies that would dramatically increase the Senate’s spending on border security while raising taxes on internal shipping. In addition, The Diplomat party has suggested a tariff on imported motherboards, circuit breakers, microchips, and other complex electronic hardware used for starship manufacturing in a clear gesture to the Centrist party that they want to cooperate and coordinate.

With the strikes and protests ongoing on Centrist planets such as Kuat and Corellia over the internal shipping restrictions that have harmed their industries, a tariff on importations of these goods would increase domestic demand for these goods that are widely manufactured by companies on these worlds. The War Hawks have voiced concerns over this measure citing that it would pass these costs off to consumers, including local sector security services. Additionally, hearing about the proposed bill the Guild of Corporate Sector Industries based out of Bonadan issued this statement:

While we understand the need for the Republic to protect its domestic industry, we would discourage any further movement on a protective tariff that would impact her foreign relations with independent planets whose portfolios have been built on the last century of free-flowing trade between the Republic and her sovereign neighbors. In a time of great change in the regions of the Galactic North-East, it would behoove the Republic to incentivize continued business with our collective systems rather than force us to find other competitive markets to maintain the positive credit-flow in our portfolios.

These new issues are compounded with a heated debate that was started back in 439 by Senator Prudah of the Maldrood Sector. In a bid to increase taxes along major hyperlane routes he convinced enough senators to back legislation that shut down biological trade along hyperspace routes that have dramatically harmed member worlds from the Ottega and Jalor sectors among many other sectors represented by Centrist party Senators.

Spokesperson Neh’ka, Advisor to Senator Khorta had this to say about the intersecting issues facing the Senate,

Preposterously high levels of negligence blanket new trade legislation driven by Senator Prudah and his taxation committee. How much longer will Republic denizens be made to await the introduction of what can only be described as a conceptual taxation system until trade throughout our many sectors may resume once more! If no resolution is to be found in the coming cycle, the Preservation Society must hold those responsible to account for the immeasurable damage this will cause to many worlds economies.

These conversations are sure to impact the upcoming election season as incumbents and challengers begin their campaign trails in the upcoming rotations. Next cycle’s election is already seeing a wider number of Senatorial candidates submitting affidavits of candidacy across hundreds of sectors, a dramatic increase in civil participation in comparison to recent historical cycles.

Giving you updates as they occur, this is Quan Regal of the Affiliated Press reporting from Coruscant.

With an announcement by the Jedi Order of their intention to realign with the Republic came a landmark treaty between the Jedi and two of the largest democracies in the Galaxy: The Republic and League of Sovereign Systems. This ‘Triple Entente’ between the three factions binds together these two representative democracies to the ancient order dedicated to upholding political and civil freedoms across the Galaxy. The alliance was a clear call to return to mythic times of the ancient High Republic, but to make the implication more explicit Chancellor Naka Rei, flanked on one side by President Pyke and the other by Grandmaster Coron Audax, said these words on Mothma Plaza in front of the Senate Dome,

Since the Imperium War the Galaxy has not seen a galactic conflict to match its scale in destruction and loss of life. While we’ve seen a number of tragic and destructive events such as on Vohai or with the ascent of the Wyld Empire on the rim, we’ve lived in a Galaxy wherein the vast majority of which has been spared the horrors and ravages of war. Through this time of relative fortune, we’ve grown complacent. We’ve assumed that our values have remained explicit, have remained in the minds of our people, and that our values are shared by all those rational sentients in the Galaxy.

But, the health of democracy is informed by our ability to look back at the mistakes of the past, learn from them, and apply those lessons to make different changes in the future. We’ve seen that when republics rest on their laurels, when democracies fail to explicitly, firmly, and loudly reaffirm their values and beliefs in fair play, free expression, and open markets they slide and decline and open the door for the destructive forces of populist and authoritarian ideas.

We as allies of civil rights and liberties stand here now, together, in solidarity to declare to the Galaxy that we are recommitting to these ideals: We pledge to reinforce the rule of law, not the rule of a person or select group. We pledge to protect the rights of all sentients to political expression, to the right to critique government and protest against laws they deem unjust. We pledge to maintain an economic, social, and political framework to protect and preserve fair play for all people in the Galaxy. Finally, we also pledge to continue to advocate and provide the opportunity for all beings to freely and easily participate in the systems of government so that they may make the changes they demand to see from their elected officials.

Democracy is hard. It’s messy. It’s often inefficient. But, democracy functions because it allows all people to express their beliefs, have an open and honest conversation about the best path forward, and then to allow a government made up by the people to make an informed decision moving forward with any given crisis or situation it faces. We look forward to a future where we continue to build towards an ever healthier and stronger free society, thank you.

Mechanically, this Triple Entente is a relatively simple document. It primarily establishes a clear mutual defense partnership between the three parties wherein it identifies that any attack on one of these organizations is considered an attack on all three.

Separately and independently of the Jedi Order, the Republic Senate and League Congress have both approved a lend-lease and rearmament treaty where the Republic will invest nearly a trillion credits into a new generation of defense force vessels, mechs, and infantry materiel. As this new generation of equipment comes online and enters the field, the older generation of defense force vessels and materiel will be leased to the League of Sovereign Systems to help facilitate the further protection of hyperspace lanes along their borders from a rising tide of organized criminal violence and piracy originating from the southern Cartels in Hutt Space. After a number of payments that equal the cost of any given vessel plus a three percent interest rate the League will permanently own these vessels and other materiel. In this way, the Republic is able to subsidize funding to replace aging ships while also providing a force-multiplier to their democratic ally to their galactic south.

Finally, it’s expected that in the coming weeks that a joint declaration of denouncement will be made with the members of this Triple Entente along with Emperor Jarek Fel, or a senior member of the Council of Moffs, in regards to the recent actions of the Third Estate that completely restrict many civil rights and liberties of their citizens while establishing a dictatorship over half of the systems in the Gordian Reach.

Reporting from the Senate Dome on Coruscant, this is Quan Regal from the Affiliated Press

Jedi of the Order,

As far as our archives look back, Jedi have acted in their capacity as mediators, diplomats, peacekeepers, and even so simply as a voice offering wisdom. Helping governments and entities across the galaxy to strive for the same mutual goal of peace.

After many cycles of deliberation by both the High Council and esteemed Ambassadors of our Council of Reconciliation, the Order has made the landmark decision to formally realign itself with the Galactic Republic.

It is in times of relative peace that the Jedi look to strengthen the bonds of unity and cooperation after extended periods of division. Working to build a closer relationship with Republic diplomats and politicians throughout our galaxy. With that, we publicly declare our support for Chancellor Naka Rei as he heralds a new era of democracy, peace, and prosperity for the Republic. Once more formally accepting our traditional and historic role as Peacekeepers of the Republic

As we shine a light on a renewed era of partnership with the Republic, the Order will strive to continue being a guiding hand or voice of reason in times of turmoil, no matter the current political landscape.

We urge all members of the Order to aid the efforts of their respective branch ambassadors in forming a stronger relationship with Republic diplomats in the coming cycle as we begin to rebuild bonds shattered by the past.

May the Force be with you all,
-Grandmaster Coron Audax

Disturbing news from the Gordian Reach today. In their de facto capital world of Feena, the ultranationalist group dubbed “The Roilers” have enacted a military coup over their local governments across the Back Reach. The Roilers were able to get a legislative majority on most of the worlds across the Back Reach four cycles ago in the last major election. Readers should note that a legislative majority does not equate to a popular majority in the legislatures of the Back Reach. In fact, on Feena specifically, the Roilers held only 40% of the legislative branch, while Vahn Goreing won an electoral victory while still losing the popular vote, earning only 48% of the popular vote for his governorship.

In the looming specter of losing their legislative foothold in this upcoming election on 439.28, the day of said election, Vahn Goreing, the self-proclaimed leader of a trans-system state dubbed “The Third Estate,” ordered agents from his Ministry of Purity and Thought to execute a mass wave of arrests across the governing planets of the Back Reach. In a matter of hours, hundreds of lawmakers and elected officials were arrested for alleged charges of “felony crimes of thought,” as the Ministry of Purity and Thought stated later in the day.

News of this has been sparse and difficult to piece together as there has been a blanket ban on the free press and extreme limits on permissive external communications outside of the borders of these systems. Several reporters, including a colleague of mine at the Affiliated Press, based out of the Republic have had warrants for their arrest issued inside the borders of the, until recently faux, Third Estate. Internal announcements for the days after called for calm as the Ministries and Governor Vahn Goreing “navigated the ongoing crisis,” citing that the “opposition party has attempted a coup to overthrow our glorious state.”
It was not until a public broadcast to the Galaxy from the Executive House on Feena that we had any confirmation about the situation that went on during the last few rotations. Governor Goreing made this announcement with flags emblazoned with the insignia of the Third Estate rippling behind him.

People of the Galaxy, our government has survived a violent coup attempt by political radicals who do not respect nor follow the rule of law across our systems. Indeed, as I speak, our valiant crisis response teams are continuing to attempt to evacuate survivors from our legislative complex, where a biological attack occurred. We have arrested all of the people involved in this widespread conspiracy. With the consent of the surviving and acting legislators in our system, I have declared martial law and suspended the constitutions of the Back Reach until such a time that elections may be safely performed.

Rest assured. Our Third Estate will come out of this crisis more unified and stronger than ever.

The Affiliated Press has found no evidence to corroborate any attack cited in this speech.

 

Immediately at the end of this speech, all emigration from the Third Estate was banned, all ports of entry were restricted, and it was announced that only pre-approved immigrants reviewed by the Third Estate would be allowed entry. Curfews were created across all systems and enforced by the Third Estate’s armed muscle, dubbed “The Roilers” after their original political movement.

At this point, while any formal proceedings may officially cement the authority and creation of a formal third estate that the Roilers have been building over the last four cycles, Vahn Goreing and his cabinet have effectively rested complete autocratic control of these systems. Our thoughts go out to all those beings trapped behind this curtain that has fallen across the borders of the Back Reach who now face persecution with no recourse or opportunity to escape.

There has been no announcement from the Republic, League of Sovereign Systems, or Empire at this junction, nor any smaller independent planetary system. We will give updates as they develop.
Reporting from Coruscant, this is Andee Nevaro.

Diplomat Senator Dje Zait’ou, representing the Bryx sector, has today come under scrutiny for an outburst during the HoloNet News’ Late-Night Show segment. Interviewed last evening on the subject of the upcoming summit on Rannon, Senator Zait’ou was prompted on the subject of today’s youth and their future in today’s Republic. This caused Zait’ou to become visibly agitated, and he began describing his discovery of a, and I quote, “Dangerous new gang, ‘The Wraiths’”, and the “Vile grating noises they call music.”

This is what he had to say.

Senator Dje Zait’ou: And the worst part of it all is some of our young ones out there actually listen to them! And they agree and start trying to dress up like them, then it’ll be acting like them! I’ve done the research, the things they tell our kids in their so-called music, it’s sickening. Those “Ghosts” people slander our good senators, those working hard to make the lives they live possible, and they glorify laziness and apathy. If you ask me what the best thing we can do for the youth, it’s to keep them from influences like those… Those “Phantoms” people! We just can’t let that happen!

Talk Show Hostess: I understand your concerns… But the Republic protects their right to write the lyrics they want to, and after all, aren’t art and political commentary the first to go when democracy is threatened? Shouldn’t we cherish the space we have for this music and let people decide for themselves?

Zait’ou: Of course, I agree. Our Galactic Republic, an exemplar of democracy, welcomes art and freedom to each individual. What I am saying is their ideologies are directly opposed to that of the Republic, and if they manage to spread any of it to our youth, it’ll be like corroding the foundations of the future we’re building. And if it all comes crumbling down, don’t come asking me how it could’ve happened. It’s all right there, with those–

::He performs very visible and exaggerated air quotes::

– “Artists”, like those “The Specters” and all others like them.

Lacking an adequate opposing party to his arguments, I have sought and found “The Wraiths” myself and have earned an interview with them on the subject of the Senator. They have asked for their homeworld and real names to be kept private for the time being. We were sitting in old but comfortable chairs in Nova’s, the lead female human singer, family home’s basement that had been rearranged as a makeshift recording studio.

Truthseeker: Can you tell me about yourselves?

Nova: We’re “The Wraiths,” Or at least that’s the band name we picked out. At the time we figured it made sense because we felt we were invisible and ignored. Now not so much, I suppose. We make the music we want to listen to, and write stuff that speaks to us, and hopefully those who listen to us. Sure, it gets dark sometimes, but it’s just for style, we don’t mean harm.

Truthseeker: What is your opinion concerning Senator Dje Zait’ou’s poor review of your work?

Clone, Ommni Box Player: [A series of expletives is uttered in the Roonan language, the translation of which I cannot place here.]

Talisman, Hallikset Player: Nevermind him, he’s still angry the Senator got our name wrong, like… A dozen times.

Nova: The senator is set in his ways. At his age he probably remembers the mess with Hela Amarggill and thinks we’re all out to cause trouble and hate the Republic, but it’s not true. We’re just honest with what we think and what we feel, and that just happens to not fit with the ideal of the happy little citizens he wishes we were.

Truthseeker: What would that be?

Nova: It’s a complex subject, but the gist of it we think a lot of those our age agree with. These past few years the Republic’s leadership has been incompetent at best, willfully ignorant at worst. You’ve heard it all already, the gross mishandling of the Trade Embargo recently, for example. Or the mess in the Gordian Reach, the homelessness rate… But the most frustrating part is the senate, they’re blind to it all, they just focus on keeping themselves to meaningless factions, scheming and fighting like the senator off in the apartment next door is the enemy because he’s a “war hawk” or a “diplomat”. But nothing you and I can do about it, that’s why we’re all “The Wraiths”, we’re invisible to them.

Talisman: Don’t end on like, a depressing note again.

Nova: Thank you, I’ve almost forgotten, the new chancellor, Naka Rei, he doesn’t seem so bad for a grandpa, if you ask me it looks like his whole thing is playing all the sides, and ending up the reasonable one. Maybe that summit’ll go well, I hope it does.

Following the viral publicity of the outburst, there was a surge of interest in their older debut work. Fans describe the music as at times high-energy and fast paced with intricate Hallikset playing, and other times as slower, more ethereal, and with deeper, stronger bass frequencies from the Ommni Box. All followed with an enchanting and relatively matured voice of the Lead.

In reaction to the spike in popularity, the Wraiths have announced their first self-published album, “Hyper-Rapture”, set to release on the Fete of Lost Ones at the end of the year, as well as a planned tour in key Republic worlds of the Core and Mid Rims in the following cycles.

This was Truthseeker Mikhceikh Clan Bakh’tor, published independently from Coruscant’s orbit, by the HoloNet Relay.