JEDI HoloNet

394.03 // Tradition Over Advancement

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.

 

Posted in Galactic

394.01 // Death of Grand Moff Jarvin Fel

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.

 

Posted in Galactic

393.28 // Homelessness on Coruscant hits highest ever recorded, new study finds

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Homelessness on the lower levels of Coruscant is reaching levels only seen in preceding centuries, a study by the Institute for Galactic Economic Affairs (IGEA) concluded this year, citing sky-rising property value and a rampant drug trade as the two largest sources of strife for the issue. Lamee Ranack, the Republic’s Chief of State, hoped to bring an end to the issue with her ‘Five Steps’ program to bolster the Republic’s “structural foundations”, the first step involving “economic reinvestment” and “revitalisation” for impoverished areas such as the capital city’s lower levels.

However, the study conducted by the IGEA was extremely critical of Chief of State Ranack’s policies, stating that credits used were only “fuel to the fire” that did not address the underlying issues of the rising levels of poverty and homelessness. The main area of Ranack’s economic revitalisation scheme was to buy up huge swathes of unused lower level infrastructure or buildings and refurbish them into housing estates or flats, but this itself created several neglected issues. First and foremost, the study writes, “the revitalisation scheme, as it is run by profiteer banks, neglects the needs of well-being by constructing or reconstructing housing in areas that are prone to gang violence or habitually plagued with anti-social behaviour to ensure that quotas are met.” Furthermore, “the forced eviction of ‘squatters’ created a tremendous sudden growth in homelessness, the biggest source of the issue, with spurred on anti-social behaviour as families and individuals struggled to live outside of the homeless communes that had naturally built up over time”.

To remedy this, the Coruscant government began issuing single-occupancy tents or larger tents for family occupants. However, the issuing of tents to the homeless has begun clogging up commercial highstreets as instead of living in sewers or under bridges, the homeless now live in ‘tent communities’ in open areas, bringing them into open clashes with Coruscant underworld police. Against Lammee Ranack’s wishes, the corporate block of the Senate has begun drafting a bill to illegalise vagrancy – in effect, forcing these homeless groups into more clandestine areas of the city – to keep commerce high, citing ‘public danger’ presented by the homeless due to high levels of the illegal drug trade.

With the senate’s backlash and current debate over the legality of homelessness, the government has been ineffective in stopping this growing crisis.

Posted in Galactic

393.20 // Deston Electronics Accused of Severe Environmental Damage

A published report of Deston Electronic’s breach of Republic anti-pollution protocol and the environmental consequences have left the company in disarray, with market shares plummeting and calls for legal action against the hardware and electronics producer. The report, a 386-page document compiled by insider journalists, anonymous employees, and third party researchers and legal consultants, details Deston Electronics’ rampant disregard for environmental health and public safety. Such claims are reinforced by the report’s devoted attention to detail on which regulations were broken and how, as well as several independently-run studies on the effects Deston Electronic’s industrial runoff, has had on local waterways.

Deston Electronics’ main production plant is based on the Inner Rim planet of Zatin-Elbe, a primarily rural world sparsely populated by farmers and financially successful retirees. Since the plant’s initial construction in 373 ABY and official opening in 382 ABY, representatives of Deston Electronics have repeatedly affirmed their commitment to mitigating the environmental impact of their presence while working closely with Republic officials to ensure that their practices meet government standards. In the past, the company has proudly shared the results of official tests and inspections to determine the plant’s potential damage to the ecosystem and its adherence to Republic law, never scoring beyond a “Minimal” grade and repeatedly passing inspection with flying colours.
That reputation has since been shattered by the aforementioned document, contrasting an earlier report made by officials in the Republic Planetary Health and Conservation Agency. The team of reporters, conscientious workers, and experts found “gross negligence on the part of Deston Electronics to uphold galactic standards”, resulting in “massive, potentially irreparable damage to the rivers surrounding the production center and its corresponding soil” and a “high risk of health detriments to the local populace”.

Activists, lawmakers, and businessmen alike are set in a state of shock over how Deston Electronics’ flagrant breaches of conduct went unnoticed up until then. The company since then has issued an official apology, ending with the promise that it will fully cooperate with Republic officials to properly renovate the plant to meet standards and help to repair the damage caused by their manufacturing plant. In the meantime, official warnings have been issued by the company to citizens with homes or businesses in proximity to Deston Electronics’ factory or its adjacent waterways, detailing potential health hazards and safety advice, though at the moment, no plans for compensation have been mentioned by Deston Electronics.

Most concernedly, the mass discrepancy between the insider document and the official RPHCA report has prompted multiple political advocates and policymakers to criticize the agency for its failure to accurately monitor and report on industrial pollution this close to the heart of the Republic. While the RPHCA has offered no explanation for this distinct oversight at the moment, they have stated that an official investigation is underway to discern the cause of this distressing lapse in judgment.

Posted in Business

392.11 // The Attack of Rannon Praxeum

Members of the Order,

On 392.10, The force nexus housed at the heart of Rannon Praxeum was attacked by an entity using what we have now termed the ‘Spectral Force’. An erratic and unstable energy that is created by disrupting the natural transition between life and death. The High Council condemns the manipulation of such a sacred right. We all have a right to life just as much as we have the right to pass over to be one with the force without interference. Whilst we continue to attempt to understand this unnatural force and how to combat it, please stay vigilant. Security around all known force nexus’s has been increased and placed on high alert.

It is with great sadness that I announce the deaths of Jedi Knight Joran Fayara and Jedi Padawan Lystra Hale. We are grateful that both successfully became one with the force.

At the time of this message, the Order is organising a flotilla of ships to for the residents of Rannon. However, should the residents of Rannon visit your temple, outpost or support facility, please ensure they feel welcome.

Finally, Padawan Tribo Orana has also been reported missing since the attack, his status and whereabouts are unknown. If anyone hears from Padawan Orana, please inform a mentor immediately.

Kind Regards
Grandmaster Don’roq

Posted in Jedi