JEDI HoloNet

News from the Galactic North today with reports that an Imperial picket-fleet and a routine Republic patrol traded salvo’s within the Raioballo sector, with some sources going so far as to claim it was within the limits of the Dantooine System.

While none of the responsible vessels were reported destroyed or captured on either side this has only led to tension arising between the two states over the current secessionary crisis. Both the Republic Senate and the Imperial Moff High Council have been quick to play this event down as little more than ‘understandable tension over an uncertain future between our two states.’

While the Moff High Council refused to state explicitly what Imperial ships were doing in a sector still officially within the Republics domain they did make clear that there are ‘Imperial citizens residing on Dantooine from the time of the war who by right are entitled to the protection of the Imperial Armed Forces.’  As a result of the escalating crisis there are talks that both Chief of State Malucia and the newly crowned Emperor Irattn Fel will be meeting to finally attempt to draw to a close the rising tensions between both powers.

With Dantooine still a steadfast Republic supporter and a Jedi Enclave located on the planet, it is uncertain as to how these events may unfold.

The Republic continues to break apart as earlier today, Senators from Belkadan, Yaga Minor and Muunilinst walked out of this mornings Senate session. Within hours all three worlds declared their secession and their support for the Empire with their colony worlds, Mygeeto in particular, declaring for the Empire also.

While this may not come as a complete surprise for many, the secession of Muunilinst, one of the galaxies leading economical centres has severely dented an already highly fragile economy and as a result, the stock-market plummeted severely following this mornings announcement. Their declaration this morning caused mass protests both within the Senate building and without, one un-named Senator even going so far as to declare them ‘traitors’ and stating that they are ‘guilty of treason’.

Apparently, of concern to a number of Senators, is the silence and complete lack of input or opinion of the Senator of Corellia who, when asked about his thoughts on the situation, has consistently refused to be let known his own thoughts or the thoughts of his world on this crisis.

While discontent across the Republic continues to fester as a result of the treaty that brought an end to the war, the continued state of the Republic remains uncertain. What is certain though is that with worlds continuing to secede, the military being largely down-sized and the economy in near total ruin, the Republic stands almost completely un-equipped should the treaty fall apart.

Where the Jedi Order will stand should this occur is not yet known.

It has been reported that a local man from Bestine has turned up at the head quarters of the local authorities claiming that his land speeder had been stolen yesterday afternoon. While this may sound like your typical case of theft, the authorities were left baffled after checking near by security footage only to find that the victim was seen handing over the land speeder to a stranger before watching him take off.

After seeing the footage, the man is said to have been extremely confused and agitated by what had truly happened. The authorities are said to still be questioning him and have even gone as far as to consider bringing in a psychological expert.

With no witnesses at the scene the authorities can only go with what the security footage has shown and the statement from the victim, but sources say this has left them baffled and with hardly no evidence at all to pursue the thief.

The world of Hapes and its colonies have followed Bastions example today and finalised their status as an independent, sovereign people, free of the Galactic Republic and the Senate.

Originally joining with the New Republic out of necessity during the Yuuzhan Vong War, relations with the Hapes Consortium were strengthened greatly in the past by the continued efforts of such notable Jedi Masters as Luke Skywalker. However, increasing economic woes since the Commonwealth Secessionary War have not been well received by the Queen Mother of Hapes and the recent struggles with ‘Darth Rishi’, followed by the Chiss and Mandalorians have only served to strengthen the Hapan peoples grievances.

Despite the Hapans steadfast dedication to the Alliance war effort during the conflict with the Chiss and Mandalorians, the following weakness of the galactic economy aswell as the ‘weak, pandering treaty’ the Alliance agreed to have left the Hapan people dissatisfied with continued membership. While the Queen Mother insists that the Consortium wishes absolutely no ill-will on the Republic she also made clear her people must ‘follow their own path.’

It is not yet clear what will happen to the numerous Hapans that claim membership within the Jedi Order; whether they will continue their service or return home. What is known however is that from today, the Hapes Consortium stands as an independent power once more.

The status of Bastion as an independent and sovereign world was finally formalised today, amidst the sounds of cheering and celebrating crowds on Bastions streets.

A long-time adversary of the New Republic, both powers came together to fight a common adversary during the Yuuzhan Vong war almost three centuries ago. The Galactic Federation of Free Alliances, as the union of powers came to be officially known, stood as the dominant force and government in the galaxy until the conflict with Darth Krayyt almost a century later and the Commonwealth War of Secession another century after.

The recent “Attrition Wars” left a Bastion much displeased with Alliance rule. Suffering widespread devastation very early in the war, Imperial citizens have long held that their world has received minimal treatment and consideration compared to other similarly devastated worlds such as Dac or Mygeeto. The Imperial government has long held that Alliance relief has been minimal and that their voice in the Alliance Senate has been increasingly marginalised in favour of ‘rising stars’ in the Alliance, notably New Alderaan or Onderon.

Anti-Alliance sentiment reached a height with the signing of the Treaty of Mygeeto, bringing an official end to the war. The majority of Imperial citizens felt angered and betrayed over what they describe as the ‘ridiculously light and shameful’ terms put forth towards the Ascendancy.

With the Empires secession the Republic loses one of its key fortress worlds and shipyards in the galactic North-West as well as one of the Alliance navies and armies largest contributors. News agencies and Republic diplomats are uncertain as to what form the new Empire will take and whether or not they will resurrect some of the Empires more ‘memorable’ institutions from former times like the Imperial Knights. Such a thing would undoubtedly cause a stir among those in the Jedi Order, an institution that has stood unrivalled since the fall of Darth Krayyt.

More news on these developments as it comes…