JEDI HoloNet

BALAMAK, 473.18 – Tens of thousands of people have mobilised across the Mid and Outer Rim in protests against Chancellor Malvero’s government, sparking the biggest civil movement the region has seen in decades.

Demonstrations have steadily built across the Mid and Outer Rim since the controversial ‘Core World Mobilisation’ order in 471.26. They reached a boiling point in the last few days after a number of Hutt-backed pirates attacked planets across the region.

“We have been abandoned.” A leader of the protests on Obrikkia told one of the largest crowds seen in the city’s history. “Abandoned by a government that does not care about us, by a system that will not protect us, by politicians that will not save us. Our worlds will be turned to cinders before the so-called Galactic Senate lifts a finger.”

Cities from Balamak to Rodia have been gripped by intense protests – some seeking new leadership in Coruscant, others blaming local authorities for endangering their citizens. Some of these protests have turned violent. On Christophsis, one protestor confronting members of the planetary assembly was shot by local police, later dying of their injuries in hospital.

Key figures across the Outer Rim, including Senate officials, have expressed their support of the protests. Senator Tussek’Mal of Balamak told local news stations of his intent to “put power back into the hands of [Balamak’s] people”.

Tussek’Mal told local news that he believed protestors felt “betrayed by the Republic… The leaders of the galactic community have abandoned their duty to all of us in pursuit of the interests of the Core.” He further stated that he hoped the Chancellor would “reflect upon the memories of abandonment the Mid and Outer Rim has known, such as during the dark history of the Commonwealth.”

The Commonwealth was a short-lived secessionist movement from 245-250 ABY, made up of planets opposed to the government of the Chief of State of the Alliance.

Chancellor Malvero released a statement calling for demonstrators to trust the government and restore the rule of law. Without naming Tussek’Mal explicitly, the Chancellor’s statement strongly condemned “those seizing upon this tragedy to further their own political ambitions at the cost of disorder within the borders of the Republic”.

A spokesperson from the Galactic Senate has suggested that protests are being encouraged by “elements of the Third Estate” to weaken Republic authority in the region. No evidence has been provided to support this claim.

OUTER RIM, 473.16 – Hutt-backed pirate groups have attacked several planets in the Outer Rim in a coordinated “campaign of tribute” against worlds left without Republic Navy protection, officials have stated.

A coalition of pirate cartels claimed responsibility for the raids, stating that they would continue to raid any world that refused to pay them tribute. Some of these groups also demanded the Republic recognise their control over key space lanes and moons within the Outer Rim.

The raids have raised fears that the region’s security crisis has entered a new and much more dangerous phase.

Head of the Republic’s Outer Rim Security Committee, Senator Hammond Peramis, has stated that at least 600 people had been kidnapped by pirate groups in the attacks, and at least 10 civilian starships have been captured or destroyed.

The largest raid took place on Rettna IV, where local authorities said gunmen in four landing craft attacked a refinery settlement. At least 240 people are missing. Residents said that the settlement’s local militia was overwhelmed, and likely destroyed.

In orbit over Utapau, pirates boarded a passenger ship exiting hyperspace and took its 79 passengers and crew. Footage released appears to show armed pirates of Nagai origin moving through the ship’s corridors wielding Hutt-import blaster weaponry.

The Galactic Senate has condemned the Hutt Cartel for “a blatant act of hostility”, and stated that it is “preparing a severe response” if its citizens are not freed by the pirate groups. Many of these pirate groups are believed to have strong ties to the Hutt Cartel. The most powerful of these groups, the ‘Sun-Splitters’, are known to pay tribute to Gor’lan the Hutt, one of the leading figures of the interstellar cartel.

The Senate has also strongly criticised the League of Sovereign Systems for the weakness of its space patrols, which they allege allowed pirate groups to move into Republic space without being detected.

A spokesperson from the Malvero government has stated that the “government is taking swift and aggressive action to ensure that its people are protected from outside threats.”

MAARKA, 473.13 — A fire broke out earlier today at a remote research installation, sending a column of dark smoke above the surrounding wilderness and raising concerns among nearby settlements.

According to an official statement released by the facility, the incident resulted from an unforeseen malfunction during an experimental procedure. The resulting fire reportedly spread through portions of the installation’s ventilation infrastructure before emergency containment systems were activated.

Facility representatives have assured the public that the situation has since been brought under control and that no immediate danger exists to surrounding communities.

“Our personnel responded promptly, containing the incident without harm. We wish to reassure concerned citizens that the situation is under control and that all necessary safety precautions are being observed and will be enforced.”

Despite these assurances, the incident has brought renewed attention to the research installation, whose activities have remained quiet unusually quiet in recent weeks.

Several relatives of local researchers at the facility have expressed growing frustration over the apparent lack of communication with their loved ones. According to their reports, communication has become increasingly infrequent, having received little to no personal transmission in several cycles.

“My husband was supposed to return home last rotation. He told me they had discovered something unique, however, and that his supervisor wanted everyone to stay a little longer. That was the last time we spoke,” one concerned spouse explained.

Another family member expressed similar concerns.

“I understand their work is important, but surely they can spare a few minutes to contact their families!”

Growing number of similar complaints has raised questions about working conditions and personnel welfare.

CORUSCANT, 473.14 – Protestors clashed with police overnight at the Galactic Republic’s Supreme Court after Yula Perun, commander of ‘Task Force Indigo’, was cleared of misconduct over the destruction of the RRS Stargazer.

Large crowds of protestors were seen gathering in the Republic’s government quarters throughout the day. Several protestors were identified as ex-military, wearing medals of service, insignias, and tattoos, of the Republic Navy and Marines. Protestors claimed that the death of the sailors aboard the RRS Stargazer was the responsibility of Perun’s poor leadership and Malvero’s “abandonment” of the Outer Rim. The RRS Stargazer was a part of ‘Task Force Indigo’, an anti-piracy task force located in the Outer Rim.

On 472.05 the task force was attacked by pirates, losing the RRS Stargazer in an ambush. Footage from the scene shows protestors attempting to overpower a police barricade outside the Supreme Court. Clashes subsequently broke out between officers and protestors, with the police deploying tear gas to disperse the crowds. Perun was brought into an inquiry led by the Galactic Senate’s Special Investigations Committee (SIC) set up by the government to “ascertain the truth” of the events at Rettna IV.

On her release, the SIC chair stated: “Yula Perun’s conduct did not lead to the tragic death of the sailors aboard the RRS Stargazer. Nor were her actions unlawful or in breach of the established chain of command, as she was placed in executive authority during an unfortunate period of communications loss.” According to Coruscant police, the protestors “endangered” the life of Yula Perun and several police personnel. Chancellor Malvero released a statement today strongly condemning the incident and calling for “an immediate calming of passions”.