JEDI HoloNet

284.01 // Jedi Master Rash Loist

Jedi Master Rash Loist

With the awakening of the year 284 ABY the Jedi Order has honored Rash Loist with the title of Jedi Master in appreciation of a career that has spanned over three decades and four former students to the rank of Jedi Knight. Rash Loist began his training on the planet of Yavin IV, where he was instructed by Jedi Masters Raulos Aquilo and Gabe Alkorda.

Even as a small child, it was clear that he emulated the physique and discipline of his first mentor, championing the cause of mastery in the art of the Lightsaber. As an accomplished saberist, he found himself lending his skills to students and the galaxy as a whole, teaching countless youths and inspiring entire troops of soldiers as he became known to others as a high-ranking officer in the Alliance military.

The name Loist alone is well known among the Alzoc 3 branch of the Order and generations of students have looked up to Master Loist for training, guidance and security as Rash has proven himself a protector and guardian of the Order and all that it stands for. Few would have the audacity to question his wisdom and even less would be so brainless as to meet him in the field of battle.

Rash Loist is a quintessential Jedi and as such his distinction as a Jedi Master is a matter that should come as a surprise to nobody. The Order as a whole would like to congratulate Master Loist on his achievements and express that his ascension to Jedi Master is a great honor afforded to a legendary man who has served by example to all servants of the Force.

– The Jedi Council

[Special Thanks to Former Master Raulos Aquilo for the headline message!]

283.30 // Breaking News

GHN LiVE

GHN LiVE

A terrible devastation has been revealed at Bakura.

Following a recent invasion attempt by the Ascendancy against the Commonwealth world, Coalition forces found themselves surprised and bewildered, but soon fought back against enemy forces to regain a solid foothold. All signs pointed to an eventual success in driving away the Ascendancy yet again until word spread of a most unusual occurrence. Across the major cities and Coalition bases, tales of a widespread epidemic began to surface, as the affected began to display deep sores and lesions over their exposed skin, correlating with signs of vomiting and diarrhea.

Eventually, the observers and doctors working to identify the apparent disease began to contract it as well. After a period as short as a few days, millions of people civilian and military were infected, as the death tolls began to rise quickly into the hundreds, thousands, and millions. No members of the Ascendancy, Chiss or otherwise, were reported to have shown signs of contracting the disease.

Further details surrounding this mass death are unavailable, though it is heavily assumed that all Coalition forces on Bakura have surrendered with the sector effectively blocked off by defending fleets. With little doubt, it seems biological warfare has entered the arena, the potential effects of which need not be mentioned in this report. Galactic HoloNews will immediately report any developments as they arise.

283.16 // Illegal Swoop Racing on the Rise

Swoop

Swoop Bike

In the context of this poor economy, galactic consumers have recently begun to invest their earnings (or handouts) in the newest trend of illegal swoop racing, placing uncertain bets on unknown thrill seekers in hopes of increasing their bullion by upwards of 300%. The result of riches comes at a price however, which include facing high odds of failure, a danger involved with frequent crashes, and of course the risk of getting booked by local authorities. Despite the odds, swoop racing of all kinds has been on the rise Galaxy-wide.

While popular in professional organizations and rogue operations along the Outer Rim, the popularity of swoop racing has risen amongst the amateur populations in the Core Worlds, with especially large frequencies lying unsurprisingly in the realms of Corellia and Coruscant. In many cases, teenage citizens as young as 15 have been documented as participating in the unsanctioned races, with some individuals even encountering some success. With an ever-increasing population of racers ready to skid above the streets for fame and possible fortune, gamblers have flocked to such sites ready to give all for the chance of fortune and the spectacle of astounding speed.

Authorities have said that while swoop racing is enjoyable and productive within the right hands and professional settings, the illegal practice of such races is extremely dangerous for all parties involved. While some racers may have proper training, others are far more inexperienced, which often results in multiple deaths due to the competitive atmosphere and high speeds involved. On the side of illegal gambling, the sometimes enormous odds of winning a bet, in addition to the possibility of not receiving house earnings at all, have caused poverty-stricken individuals to fall even further below the line. Nevertheless, there seems to be no stopping this trend as new racers and gamblers continue to tally by the minute.

From this journalist’s perspective, these illegal swoop operations are an understandable result of the poor handling of the economy by the current Chief of State and his administration. With no formal and civil areas of investment to look to, the have-nots will ultimately look for some means of amusement and a shot at more plentiful resources for their daily lives. Listen up, Chief, because we have a real problem on our hands.

283.16 – Carthago Delenda-Est // GHN

283.08 // War Report

Galactic Coalition

The Galactic Coalition Military

Commonwealth Front (South) – Progress goes well in the expulsion of the Ascendancy in the remaining Commonwealth territories. The counter-offensive berthed at Rattatak has resulted in the destruction of several Chiss fleets and the reconquest of the Zaadja system thus far. Coalition officials project that if all continues well the Ascendancy will fail for a second time in attempting to subjugate the Southern Commonwealth.

Chiss Front (North) – The recent reacquisition of Generis by the Coalition proves that liberty may not be so far-flung for civilizations that have suffered under the oppression of the Ascendancy for several years to date. According to several reports, most of the native population on Generis is battered but not defeated, as the hope of freedom always seemed to shine through in the hearts of these brave patriots. The GCM pledges a total commitment to world liberation, heroically stating that cases like Generis are just the beginning of a brighter future.

Mandalorian Front (East) – Defenses in protection of Mon Calamari continue to hold despite an endless series of attacks launched by the Mandalorians. While this stalwart defiance is noted well by the Coalition, top generals assert that the defense of the critical system is “far from over”, furthermore stating the importance of the mission. Military analysts still unanimously claim Mon Calamari as the true bringer of fate, regardless of the current successes or failures of the Coalition and its enemies.

282.27 // Lightsabers and Society

Lightsaber

Typical Appearance of a Jedi Lightsaber

When average civilians are asked about the defining qualities of Jedi, most if not all make at least one mention in regard to their weapon. Commonly referred to as a “laser sword” or “lightsword” amongst the populace, the actual term for the object is lightsaber, a weapon that has been around for thousands and thousands of years. Though most would not know it, these weapons are exceptionally rare and extremely difficult to craft, adding to the mystique, as well as the monetary value, for these precious items.

According to surfacing reports, the great exposure that the Jedi Order has benefitted, or perhaps suffered from in recent times, has brought the demand for commercial entertainment for its brand to previously unseen levels– costumes depicting Jedi robes, films detailing their exploits, even the production of lightsaber-shaped snack foods have stocked the shelves of groceries Galaxy-wide. But even these items are not enough to satisfy the cravings of the upper class aficionados. The wealthy gentry has found a stronger taste for the more real and genuine, culminating in want of obtaining the greatest prize in the form of a Jedi’s prized lightsaber.

The methods of obtaining these sultry items have been nothing short imperceptibly difficult for many years. By first sense, one could attempt to steal the lightsaber from the Jedi, though most would place this task at the highest required effort and optimum likelihood to be incarcerated for their actions. Following, the obsessed connoisseur may try to buy the Jedi’s sidearm from them for an exorbitant amount of credits, though they would soon find that the Jedi most likely has no interest whatsoever in the field of monetary gain. Feeling disgruntled, the pomp man or woman may have in fact given up their dream if it were not for one detail– that the war has presented them with many new opportunities.

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