JEDI HoloNet

As the conflict broils on the planet’s surface of Vohai, Mother Mu’la, the leader of the Revolutionary Council speaks to the Galaxy and her “children” in a plea for help and statement of resilience.

“In this grave hour, perhaps the most fateful in our new history, I send to every household, trench and crater of my peoples, both at home and overseas, this message, spoken
with the same depth of feeling for each one of you as if I were able to cross your threshold and speak to you myself.For the second time in the lives of most of us we are at war. First, in the halls of riotous streets, and now again whence the enemy comes to our shores. Over and over again we have tried to find a peaceful way out of the differences between ourselves and those who are now our enemies. But it has been in vain. We have been forced into a conflict. For we are called, with our principles of freedom to what may feel to be alone. But our freedom is not so lonely, for each of us feels it burn within our hearts, and occupy our minds in the darkest of days. The principle of freedom that lives within all of us, all of us together, we will unite to fight for this fundamental right of being, belonging each and only to every single one of us.

It is the negligence of this principle which permits a state, in the selfish pursuit of power, to disregard its solemn pledges to those that they would call their people. An institution we would long call home exists no longer, and the foul creation that has taken its name is no friend of ours. If this loss of principle were established throughout the world, not only would the freedom of our own land echo its last breath throughout the Galaxy, but so too would the life of all free peoples. Under the servitude of such corrupt, negligent creations, there is no life. Not here, and not for this Galaxy. A poor, grim existence, where one does not know their place as little as they know themselves.

So let it be said, if even we should lose our last beach and burn our last blaster, the Galaxy will know that this was our finest hour. Let it be etched by each of our hands into the annuls of history, forever more, an independent Vohai. This is the ultimate issue which confronts us. For the sake of all that we ourselves hold dear, and of the world’s order and peace, it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge. It is to this high purpose that I now call my people at home and my peoples across the seas, who will make our cause their own. I ask them to stand calm, firm, and united in this time of trial. The task will be hard. There may be dark days ahead, and war can no longer be confined to only the battlefield. But we can only do the right as we see the right, and reverently commit our cause to freedom. If one and all we keep resolutely faithful to it, ready for whatever service or sacrifice it may demand, then, in good time, we shall prevail.”

The industrial centres of major Core planets, mainly Coruscant and Corellia, have been gripped by a slew of riots and anti-War protests, largely led by students and activists spurred on by a Senatorial clique known as the ‘No War Group’.

While most areas of protest consist of marching and ‘sit-ins’ of Government offices, water cannons were deployed to District 13 of Coruscant after a Representative of the Hapan Consortium was bombarded with eggs and blue milk for expressing their support of ‘crushing sedition’, to which the Chief of State has yet to officially comment on. On Corellia, Governor-General Ruun ‘loyalists’ were out in groves and engaged in some brief street brawls against the anti-war protestors, but both groups were dispersed by Planetary Authorities.

Will the Chief of State be able to control public opinion?

In a rare public appearance, Empress Bellitria Fel spoke to members of the media this morning, addressing a number of social and political issues that have been sweeping the Empire in recent months. Of particular note is comments she made regarding the ongoing crisis on Vohai..

“We of course wish a fast resolution to the crisis on Vohai with as little loss of life as possible. The Republic and the Senate are of course in every right to protect the lives of its citizens on Vohai in this conflict, although the people of Vohai We would argue should also be allowed to determine their own fate. It’s ironic that a galactic government that is supposed to be founded on the principles of ‘democracy and freedom’ appears to have forgotten this, while worlds are free to join and leave the Empire as they please.
In any case, we hope the situation is resolved quickly.”

The Empress’ comments quickly drew sharp criticism from people within the Republic Senate.

The RSN Firefly, de-facto Capital and Operations Ship of the peacekeeping mission of the planet of Vohai, home to over ten-thousand soldiers and crew-members, suffered an attrocious and murderous sabotage attempt by Revolutionary loyalists, co-ordinating with Revolutionary ground forces who mounted Starfighters and, in the hundreds, flew into the RSN Firefly, killing their pilots in the process and blowing up the Starfighters, in the hopes of the shields having been disabled by on-board EMP planted by saboteur. Presently, the RSN Firefly is still undergoing electrical repairs but is anticipated to remain very much in working order.

Two Jedi who cannot be named were, in the words of on-board crew members and soldiers at the time of the explosion, “absolutely necessary” for the saving of the entire ship, as the saboteurs intended to plant more bombs after the first attempt failed.

In retaliation, Republic Forces have proceeded with an intense bombing campaign over the unprotected and unshielded industrial areas of the planet to further weaken the Revolutionary war effort, while also disabling transport links on the Vohai Monorail with intense orbital bombardment. Senators have raised serious ethical concerns about the longevity of the war, anticipated actions of Governor-General Ruun and the prospect for civilian casualties nullifying the ‘moral righteousness’ of the Republic. However, the Chief of State has suspended Senate debate on the subject until official statistics from the Office of Strategics and Military Logistics comes forth.

The tension between the two towns of Dorsel and Shanti Reef continues to grow as Dorsel officially terminates all boat trip excursions between the two settlements.

Both settlements are located in the vast Lamprey Basin which is protected on all sides by towering Fins mountain range. Situated in the heart of Karkaris, they are both popular tourist destinations with both Karkoradons and off-worlders. Whilst both are still individually accessible via shuttles, Shanti Reefs economy is significantly bolstered by ‘day trippers’ from Dorsel.

Whilst a friendly rivalry has always existed between the two, it soured a year or so ago, when the ancient sword of founding father of both settlements, Nidusronto Shanti, was stolen. The culprit behind the theft is still unknown, and the whereabouts of the sword a mystery.

This latest development is seen as an attempt to put pressure on Shanti Reef to report the theft to Karkaris Security Forces. Dorsel has repeatedly and consistently asked for the case to be referred to KSF, however the sword which spends 60 years in each settlement before transferring to the other, was in its 24th year at Shanti Reef when it was taken, meaning that for an official KSF investigation to begin Shanti Reef must report it missing. Something that as of yet, they have refused to do.

When asked to comment, one of the local town councilors and Shanti Reef shuttle port manager Stin’io had this to say

It’s none of your business. We’ve got a someone looking into it, better than any KSF officer. The sword will be back in no time you wait and see.

Until then Shanti Reef is open for business.