JEDI HoloNet

A logistics manager of the Asenti Nutri-Corp has been identified by planetary officials on Olanet as the one responsible for designating contaminated nerf meat for shipment. Amid an ongoing investigation, manager Kelsin Nauer surrendered himself to law enforcement and confessed that he was paid by executives from a competing meat-producing company to damage the reputation of the Asenti Nutri-Corp. Nauer alleges that he was approached by a third party a cycle prior to the incident to “identify methods to discredit Asenti and execute appropriate actions to the fullest of [his] ability”.

While the names of the executives and the competing company remain anonymous, officers report that they have an individual in their custody who is suspected to have facilitated the deal with Nauer. As investigators hope to ascertain the names of the executives in quick fashion, they have nevertheless confirmed that no contaminated nerf meat was found to have been shipped either prior to or after the whistleblower’s testimony. With this news, the Outer Rim may heave a sigh of relief as citizens may once again purchase their favorite cuts of nerf without fear.

The other plus side to what may have been a daunting outcome? In spite of worries about a potential blip in the Olaneti economy, an increased demand for bantha meat in the Hunnoverrs Sector has deposited significant capital into the accounts of rural farmers who herd the beasts. This recent development then begs the question of whether or not bantha meat will see a permanent increase in demand following the scare, as potential investors speculate the market in hopes of making a profit.

News coming from Olanet in the Hunnoverrs Sector has flustered local health inspectors and law enforcement personnel alike, as reports of an effort to sell contaminated nerf meat have begun to surface.

The reports arose after a whistleblower informed planetary officials of a suspected effort by the Asenti Nurti-Corp to process, package and sell various cuts of nerf meat that had been previously segregated for bioanalysis. According to the whistleblower, the cuts had been withheld based on a peculiar bruising being spotted on the surface of the meats. In spite of this effort, the cuts were repurposed, packaged and stored before inspectors could conduct further tests. Upon hearing this testimony, planetary officials were promptly sent to investigate and seize the shipments, which had fortunately not yet been sent.

Internal examination proved that every specimen of nerf meat, combined to weigh more than two and a half tonnes, was indeed contaminated with a bacterial infestation known to cause crippling, flu-like symptoms in most Human and Near-Human consumers. While no arrests have yet been made and the cause of the contamination and the motive to sell the meat are yet unknown, further investigations have been underway and all nerf meat processing factories of the Asenti Nutri-Corp have been indefinitely halted in their operations. In the meantime, officials have issued a warning to habitants of the Outer Rim to not purchase or consume any nerf meat originating from Olanet as a precaution, causing local economists to worry over the loss of production revenue on top of the present health concerns.

As Galactic political entities still recover from the recent War, the Mining Guild has been exploring alternative solutions to keeping up with the growing demand of raw materials and fuel. One of the most notable was forcibly retiring the Guild’s CEO and allowing the vacancy to be filled by Decium Tiro, a veteran executive of the organization.

In the past, Tiro has stated his displeasure with the Guild’s apparent lack of prioritization on potential profit centers across the Galaxy and plans to introduce a multitude of changes to the Mining Guild that will allow for the company to keep pace with the demand of the Galaxy. Analysts agree that change is definitely necessary as the Guild has just been barely able to scrape along in fulfilling Tibanna orders of major Galactic centers. Some say the change is coming just in time in order to prevent the cost of fuel rising for the average Galactic citizen spacefarer or atmospheric commuter.

Others, however, are not so pleased with how the Guild plans to continue business. Shortly after taking the office of Chief Executive, Tiro was questioned by a representative from an independant HoloNews network who wanted to know if by “selling these raw materials to any and all sides of political lines the Guild is not only facilitating growing demand but also a future war.” To this the CEO had a simple reply,

“It’s true that the materials extracted and refined by the hard working men and women of the Mining Guild could be used for military applications. However we can’t allow this hypothetical to paralyze our movement in the Galactic marketplace. Our products could just as easily be used to build a state of the art medical facility for children. We are more selective than we appear about who we sell to. But in this time of recovery we won’t hesitate to play our part in patching war wounds that still require tending to.”

Where the new CEO plans to take the Guild is still relatively secretive, but it is good to hear that the steady stream of resources will continue to flow, heating our homes and fueling our vehicles.

After the formation of the New Republic, inter-system trade has fluctuated, particularly in systems such as Fondor and distant Outer Rim Territories system, Eriadu. A Senator from Fondor claims great financial progress has been made following the formation of the New Republic, with large surplus in industrial textile trading between neighbouring systems.

“The recent unity of the New Galactic Republic has introduced relations between previously un-connected systems, which have spiked interests in reconstruction to economy in the solution of industrial development. Fondor has introduced unionised reforms which focus on assisting systems still suffering from recession caused by the recent hostile engagements. Our goal is to continue our co-operation with neighbouring systems, to encourage development and eventually restore the stability of economy and trade within the sector for the future. The Fondorian government recognises the issues that exist, and promises to maintain production and introduce further reforms to combat recession.” – Senator Cira Kohren.

A group of Corellian shipwright unions have succeeded in obtaining a court date for legal proceedings against the executive board of the Selonian Shipyards, after many cycles of intense negotiation and industrial action. The lawsuit, dated for early next year and supported by high-profile law firm Ghorm, Rilt & Zarkon, aims to force the Shipyards to abandon their long-gestating layoffs scheme which would endanger the livelihoods of up to 1,000 employees.

In a statement to the press, F’lksith, Secretary of Employment for the Selonian Shipyards, said;

“…we have worked long and hard to find common ground with the unions, even to the extent of proposing an entirely new business plan for the next fiscal year. Unfortunately, that effort has been for naught. This latest development is little more than bullying by the unions, who care little for the tens of thousands of our employees who will suffer even more should their demands be met.”

A statement from the unions has yet to be made. It remains uncertain how this drawn-out dispute will unfold, but the impact on trade within the sector is already being felt. The price of replacement components, particularly those manufactured by the Selonian Shipyards, has risen by an average of 6% due to the drop in production as a result of industrial action, and the number of new contracts being signed by the Shipyards has also been affected.

With neither side willing to budge, it appears likely that external intervention may be required before this situation can be resolved. As always, GHN will have the latest updates as they happen.

T.R. Bankiss // GHN