JEDI HoloNet

CHALACTA, 473.21 – An armed group calling itself the ‘Anti-Piracy Volunteer Front‘ has declared the formation of a citizens militia and warfleet at Chalacta, seizing decommissioned warships and refitting civilian freighters to protect Chalactan airspace against further pirate incursions.

The group made a video announcement from a Holonet broadcast centre which was seized by the group. The capital of Chalacta, Terriktar, remains gridlocked by protests against the Republic’s governance. Many protestors have expressed support for the activities of the Volunteer Front.

The group’s leader – a masked human calling himself as ‘Hatsa‘ – was identified as a former member of the Republic’s 10th Fleet due to tattoos seen on his left arm. Another member of the group’s leadership is believed to have ties to the illegal podracing circuit, codenamed ‘Urrsala’ after the podracing champion.

The Front has set out two aims. It has said it will resist the armed attacks of pirates across the Rim and “restore military honour” to the Republic in the face of defeat. However, the group also expressed its fear that it had been abandoned by the Republic’s leadership.

“Chancellor Malvero has shown his hand.” Hatsa told the camera. “The Republic will not save us, and so we must save ourselves. It us up to us to defend our own homes, and maybe soon, to set our own destinies.”

The Front has called retired officers, ratings, marines, and army personnel to service, and is offering mercenaries and other citizen recruits a monthly wage. At least two decommissioned military vessels have ended up in Chalacta’s space, according to local officials.

The Republic’s government has made no statement regarding the events on Chalacta, however an anonymous source from within the Galactic Senate has suggested that the government is viewing the events with increased concern.

Chalacta borders Hutt space.

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.

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”.