JEDI HoloNet

As we venture closer, and closer towards the Empresse’s verdict we have begun to see a division of people grow within Imperial Space. On most key planetary systems protestors litter the streets holding up banners and chants in an attempt to display their discontent. The Pro loyalists on Bastion have marched through most of the capital completely impeding transportation throughout the city. At a press briefing, the commissioner of Imperial Security on Bastion, Klor Mendrin said the force was so stretched officers have not seen their families for cycles. Plus, approximately 65,000 officers have been placed on 1-rotation shifts.

A spokesman for the loyalist group, Arix Nesda said:  “We stand by the Fel bloodline. It’d feel wrong, untrue to traditions for someone not of the family to take up the throne. Especially the likes of those without a spine such as Nemora Torysk. Only a dog of the Republic. I only hope that the High Moff Council and the Empress herself see eye-to-eye and elect Julianus to be the true emperor. As he is truly deserving. ”

The loyalist group has committed to continuing the protests on for the remaining cycles of the year. Imperial Security has said it needs to balance the right to protest in a democracy. During the current campaign, the ISF has made 3,458 arrests and 1364 charges have been laid so far by the Imperial Courts.

The commissioner said that of those convicted after the group’s protests in through 394.15-395.20, so far over 2000 had paid costs and got a conditional discharge. It left them with a criminal record, but some critics question if the penalties are enough of a deterrent, particularly for activists who may regard criminal convictions in the furtherance of their cause as a badge of honor.

Commissioner Mendrin confirmed ISF and Imperial officials were discussing changes to public order laws to deal with protests such as those of The Loyalist cause, including ways to deter repeat offenders and disruption.

That’ll be all with the Bastion Newscast!

Breaking news, as the first rumors of the fate of Pleis IX have surfaced after weeks of silence.

Pleis IX, long hailed as the unknown Agricultural Gem of the Empire, dropped all forms of communication around 395.05, with no prior warning. Friends and relatives of inhabitants had been trying to reach their loved ones, to no success. The Imperial Navy had blocked all access into and out of the system, but had declined to comment on the situation. That is, until now.

Reports coming allegedly from survivors of the Arc-Ship “Hope” speak of a void infestation that consumed the planet in a matter of hours, leaving behind a black hole. Of a population numbering dozens of billions, only a few hundred thousand escaped.

Grand Moff Otta Vormis has quickly interjected, stating that these rumors are unsubstantiated.

“We are still investigating the events that took place in Pleis IX. This is a top priority for the Imperial Command, and as such, we insist on civilians respecting the curfew and not paying heed to unsubstantiated rumors, that only serve to undermine our mighty Empire. The punishment for breaking this curfew will be extremely severe.”

Imperial Scientists side with the Grand Moff, stating that a collapse of an object that big is impossible, and the mass of a planet is vastly too small to create a black hole.

However the holoforums are filling with reports from alleged Arc Ship passengers, that expert journalist call “too harrowing to be fake”.

Is this a sign that the Void infestation has escaped the Jedi Order, and now threatens the innocent civilians across the galaxy?

Stay tuned for updates.

In the early hours of 395.06, a rupturing explosion was heard booming through the sacred halls of the Ossus Jedi Temple. Little is known about the attack, but on-site reporters are claiming that the corpses of ‘shadowy figures’ are littered in the dozens as have over 20 confirmed Jedi deaths. Despite the horrific violence, the temple bravely stands.

However, a shocking revelation has been uncovered. An injured, misspoken student told our Holonews reporters that, “This isn’t the first of its kind. Rannon has already fallen.” Unknown to the galaxy, the Rannon Praxeum has been targeted by a similar attack over a year ago – which aerial footage has now confirmed. It has been said that upon receiving the news, Republic specialists were outraged at the lack of transparency the Jedi Order has offered their intelligence services in regards to such a dangerous threat. The Grandmaster of the Order, Don’roq, has refused to comment under the guise of this being a “matter of spiritual warfare”, not concerning the wider Galaxy; but this statement has understandably caused considerable criticism for the Order as a whole.

For many, this was a chilling reminder of the atrocities that befell the temple only half a century earlier during the Imperium Wars. It is being theorized by several correspondents that these series of attacks are directly linked to the earlier kidnapping of children and devastation of the Order’s reputation. Nevertheless, tensions undoubtedly grow within the Order as not only one of the most prestigious Praxeums of the Order has already fallen, but one has barely clung onto life from a threat that the Galaxy will not be told exists.

With the question of succession still in the air, both “candidates” have begun their campaigning. The Bastion Newscast was able to catch Ambassador Nemora Torysk after her meeting at the palace with officials, before boarding her transport. Our correspondent Alanya Ilorin was given the chance to pose a couple of questions to the ambassador.

“Nemora, I’m sure you are aware that at the moment there is no clear heir to the throne. Now, as someone that doesn’t hold the name Fel do you think you fair a good chance again Julianus?”

“I’m clearly aware of my name. I don’t believe the Fel Dynasty is what has made the Empire what it is today, it’s the people, the small people. We’ve seen planets under our program flourish in deals and trade with the likes of the Republic, it’s our system of rule and mainly the Moff Council which have directed the Empire to where it is now.”

“If the Empire has been directed by the Moff Council why the need for a new head of state?”

“Why, because we lack direction, an executive decision. The Empress has been quiet for many years now and her inner circle has only kept things isolated. It’s the role of the Moff Council to advise the Empress not the other way. You always need one voice to speak over many.”

“And the future of the Empire?”

“Advancement, I wish to see the Empire continue to flourish. To see more systems join our cause as I believe what we offer can only leave planets better off out in northern space. I believe we offer more structure and more involvement in our system, compared to the likes of the Republic. Who are stretched thin by the large amounts of planets under their control.”

That was all the time we had with Nemora before she boarded her transport. It seems she has set in stone big plans for the direction of the Empire, her talks around expanding Imperial Space by assisting neighboring system and enabling them to flourish can only appeal to the Empress, the Moff Council and to the people of the Empire. Plus, she has the backing of Moff Sehrana who has already made comments saying that she agrees with the ambassador’s sentiment and will openly sponsor her on the Moff Council.

More news to follow shortly.

The Empresses’ first cousin and her most trusted confidante, Jarvin Fel has died at the of 43. The Grand Moff was found dead in his private quarters within the Imperial Palace on Bastion. The cause of Jarvin’s death has not yet been revealed however second-in-command of the Imperial Knights, Master Felten Hossk who was the first to discover Jarvin’s dormant body has stated: “As Knights we have sworn loyalty to the empress and the Fel Dynasty. It saddened my heart to find Jarvin in such a state, helpless. His service to Fel Empire will not be forgotten”. The purple-armored Knight said no more and wouldn’t disclose any finer details of the situation after being prompted by our correspondent.

The feeling of shock lingers even outside of the Imperial Palace. Members of the Moff Council have rested their condolences with the Fel family. Even Moff Gyi, someone who Jarvin disregarded Moff Gyi due to his Imperium heritage had this to say:

“I will not sugarcoat things. I and Jarvin’s relationship was indeed rocky, yes. With parts of my family breaking off from the Empire and helping birth the Sith Imperium, Jarvin has always distrusted me and honestly, he is not wrong to do so. Though I earnt his trust and displayed my loyalty when I led the campaign against the remnants of my family’s doing. Yes, I’m surprised by the death of someone so close to the Empress and I’m also skeptical as to what caused his death. In times like these where the question of succession is in the air, one can only wonder what power can lead people to do.”

With Grand Moff Jarvin’s passing, it has allowed Ambassador Nemora Torysk to gain even more traction out in the fringes of imperial territory whispers have risen from within the palace that the Empress has already picked the ambassador as her next line of succession though High Moff Korsden has stated otherwise:

“The question of succession is still upon us. The Empress has yet to make her decision and until so the Moff Council will only continue to advise and serve her to the best of our abilities.”

While some believe the throne lies with Nemora Torysk, high ranking figures within the Capital believe the son of Jarvin Fel, Julianus Fel II, a training Imperial Knight may have a chance to rival the Ambassador in their campaigns to take on the throne. With Julianus holding the family name he proves to be an appealing candidate, able to continue the Fel Dynasty. Though the decision is left with the Empress.