Previous
News Editions
March 13, 2003
·
First up tonight: Bounty Hunters attempt to
assassinate Count Dooku at his secret compound.
Bounty Hunters Gajun Carlyle and his partner, Buggs, attempted to sneak into Count Dooku’s compound and
kill the former Jedi Master. Count Dooku
was able to defend himself and kill the would-be assassins. There was no comment from the Bounty Hunters
Guild on these events. Count Dooku
released the following statement: “The laughable bounty placed on my head is almost not worth
commenting on. All it indicates to me is that Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's agents are too inept to handle the situation
themselves. The Republic's Force-Using hit squad, the Sojin (the same
squad that tried to blow up the Neimodian Shipyards), are just a bunch of
washout Jedi who were too impatient to complete their training, too wild to be
controlled, or too undisciplined to ever become real Jedi. How the Jedi
Council could allow the formation of such a group is just another indication of
how far the Jedi have fallen. What is the next step? Will these
Jedi -so called- "Knights" start attempting to collect the
bounty? Will these Sojin start hunting whoever the Chancellor
commands? We are on the brink of Despotism, and only a galaxy united
against tyranny can stay the Hand of Oppression. Choose Freedom!”
·
***Breaking News***: Rebellion
has broken out on the Republic world of Rhommamool. Rhommamool President, J’hn
Sher’dan, has been confirmed as the head of the
Rebellion there. Galactic Holonet News
was able to communicate to President Sher’dan and he
had this to say: “A couple of months ago, I was forced, at gunpoint, to join the
so-called Galactic Republic, after I had declared that we wished to remain
outside this conflict. We bided our
time, but the Republic was kind enough to remove the troops they had here to
press on towards Confederacy space. WE
now will take back what is ours and we will not give up until the tyranny of
the Galactic Republic
·
In related news, all contact from the planet of
Neimodia has ceased. Earlier today,
normal traffic from the planet just stopped.
At the same time, all communications to and from the planet ceased. There is now absolutely no communication
passing through the Holo-Net relays into and out of Neimodia. Not long after the blackout started, a few civilian
ships arrived from Neimodia, but it was revealed that these ships were ships
that were enroute to Neimodia and were turned around
by the Trade Federation Navy. These
civilians have informed us that the Trade Federation is not allowing anyone in
or out of Neimodia and have cut all communications to and from their
world. More on this story as it
develops.
·
In Financial News, the Corporate Sector Authority
posted major gains in their First Quarter report. With the Galaxy thrust into war, most
industries have suffered except for the Defense Oriented
ones. One source said, “There is an old
business proverb, ‘War is Good for Business’. We are finding business very good.”
·
A side note:
Happy Aniversary to our News Director
Josephine Rouxe, who on this day thirty-three years
ago married her husband Randall Rouxe. OOG: Josephine Rouxe is based on my mom, and today, March 13th,
2003, is my parent’s 33rd Wedding Anniversary, which they are
celebrating by going to Spring Training for a week this year.
·
In other Financial News, Embezzlement charges were
brought against Galvin Longstar, president of
Industrial Automaton, the premier maker of Astromech
Droids, by the Republic Department of Justice.
Longstar overcharged the Republic on recent
purchases of Droids made by the company, including it’s famed R2 units. It is estimated that Longstar’s
actions cost the Republic several billion credits. Stock prices for Industrial Automaton dropped
while prices rose in rival companies, including Cybot
Galactica.
·
And now, from the Republic:
The Republic is proud to announce its ‘Homeland Redevelopment Project.’ This project takes a portion of the Republic budget and uses it to help with the construction of low-income housing, loans for small business, food aide programs, along with a myriad of other programs designed to help the citizens of the Republic that have fallen on hard times. This program helps them get back on their feet again and become productive members of society once more.
Also part of this project is the ‘blasters for hydro
spanners’ initiative. This program
allows troops garrisoned on a world to spend part of their time off helping the
community in which they serve. Each unit
has a mandatory amount of time that they must spend each month helping the
community in which they are garrisoned.
In the city of
“We in the Senate believed that it was about time that a large
scale effort was made to help the citizens of this great Republic. Since we have been forced to garrison so many
worlds to help ensure their safety from terrorist attacks and invasions by the
Separatists, we thought that the troops in place on these worlds could make a
dramatic difference for the good of the common Republic citizen, besides just
protecting them from harm. I for
·
And now, Count Dooku’s Monthly State
My fellow freedom fighters,
Like a
rancor that has caught the scent of blood, the Grand Army of the Republic
continues to rampage throughout the galaxy, ignoring the cries of those whose
only wish is stay out of the conflict, that war would not visit their
people. Surely by now you all must realize that they will not stop until
the entire galaxy has been brought to heel. Events of the recent months
have revealed the Senate for the monster it really is: a vast Beast with
an insatiable hunger for power and control, and its only purpose is to feed
that hunger. Sentients of the galaxy, you are
the sword that can slay the Beast. Rise up against the oppression that
threatens every single one of us! Yes, everyone! No matter how far
away from the conflict you think you are, it will only be a matter of time
before the Chancellor's thugs come to visit you. Do not give in to
fear. The Republic cannot put their warships everywhere. If we all
stand together the Republic will be unable to focus its attacks in any one
direction and they will be flailing in the dark. If we stand together we
can slay the Beast. We must have courage and heart.
I will now
share a secret with you...the reason the Senate is allowing their so-called
Grand Army to engage in its berzerker fury is
this: They are afraid of you. They are afraid, now that
the veils of deception have been stripped away and their corruption laid bare, that you, the sentient peoples of the galaxy,
will rise up and strip them of their selfish power. They know, they believe that you can do it. Our enemy's
fear is accomplishing something for us that that would have been very difficult
otherwise. They are driving people to us in droves. Beings who
would have stayed neutral in the coming engagements are declaring for the
Separatist Confederacy because they see our once-beloved
Republic transforming itself into a Despotic Empire. There is a
New Order forming right beneath our feet, and we must stop it now, before it
can grow.
In closing, I wish to repeat the offer made in my last address to you.
Anyone who declares for the Confederacy will gain a standing army, trained and
maintained by the Confederacy should you ask for it. More than a dozen
planets have already received their security forces, with more on the
way. We can help each other to stand and fight, if we keep our courage
strong and our cause pure. Remember! Choose your freedom or lose
your freedom! May the Force be with you.
February 28, 2003
·
Following up on a previous story, we can now report
that Republic Clone Troopers have landed on Xagobah. Interestingly enough, Xagobah had just
declared for the Confederacy of Independent Systems when Republic Forces
arrived in system and commenced to land troops.
There was little armed resistance on each of the planets and the
takeovers were quite bloodless. One Republic
officer, who wished to remain nameless, was quoted as saying, “I wish all
operations can go as smoothly as this, but I know in my heart that is a
pipedream. It’s going to get really
bloody soon.”
·
Trade Federation Officials have tightened security
on the planet of Neimodia after the attempted sabotage of the Neimoidian Shipyards. Sources within the Trade Federation, strong
members of the Confederacy of Independent Systems, have stated that, “We are
taking measures to make sure this won’t happen again.” They went on to say that they are sure the
Republic, who they have positively identified as behind the sabotage attempt,
will try again. An unnamed source
stated, “We will fight to retain our freedom from the tyranny and corruption
that is the Republic Senate to the last Neimoidian.”
·
This week, the Republic put out a reward for the
arrest of Count Dooku, who they consider to be a Force for Chaos in the Galaxy,
and is the Prime Force behind the current Civil War that is tearing the Galaxy
apart. There was no immediate official
word from the Bounty Hunter Guild, though one independent Bounty Hunter, now
retired, Dylan Ryzer, stated, “I’m tempted to come out of retirement for this
one. Every Bounty Hunter worth his damn
is going to consider this. There hasn’t
been a mark this rich in about 8 years.”
There has been no comment from the Confederacy of Independent Systems
regarding this “Bounty” on their Chief of State.
·
In related news, more worlds have appeared to flock
to the Republic Banner, as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine has been making
heartfelt pleas to former Republic Worlds who have chosen not to side with one
side or another, unidentified sources reported to Galactic Holonet News
reporters. Count Dooku has, so far,
remained pretty quiet, though some sources claim he has been making similar
moves, just not as publicly as the Supreme Chancellor has. Galactic Holonet News will keep an eye on
this situation as it unfolds.
·
"Sources at the Holo Net have
received copies of several of the letters that Separatist Leader Count Dooku
has sent to the nations of the Galaxy.
But it would appear that if you've seen one, you've seen them all. Our sources have found out that Mr. Dooku
released the same exact letter to many of the planets surrounding Separatist
worlds. After a long session in the Senate
regarding defense issues of the Republic, namely how to lower the maintenance
costs of the vast defense force that the Republic has raised to defend those
who seek out Republics aid, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine had this to say
regarding the form letter. "I find
this tactic a very sad one. Why, just
the other day I received 10 different form letters from salesmen trying to sell
me cheap imitations of the high quality hand made goods from colonies such as
Adregado-Rae and Tanab. Why would I want
to buy these imitations, when I can get the real quality goods that the people
of Adregado-Rae and Tanab produce? I
support these planets, and their people... just as I
support all planets in the Republic by buying only from Republic Planets. They provide the best quality and manufacture
standards. Besides, did these 'form
letters' make me feel special, or wanted?
No... (he chuckles), they only indicated the
cheapness of the sentiment behind the letter.
When I contact a nation, I do it in person... with feeling. I listen to their concerns, and I address
them. That is what the Republic is all
about." "Thank
you Supreme Chancellor, on to other news. The people of...."
· Sources have just leaked the following to Galactic Holonet News. These are prepared remarks made by Count Dooku to worlds being courted by the Confederacy:
In the last month, the corrupt Senate of the Republic has shown its true colors. It has added another weapon to its arsenal of deceit- a vast Clone Army, right next to treachery and backstabbing. The loss of communication with three planets can mean only one thing...invasion. Of these three planets, Xagobah was the only one to declare for the Confederacy. Rhomannool and Kalarba expressed a desire to remain neutral in the coming conflict, but now it appears that the Republic has chosen for them. This video footage of an Acclamator jumping in to the Xagobah system would appear to support this theory. We pledge to train and support a temporary security force for every system that declares for us, until that Security Force can be replaced with BattleDroids, if your respective governments wish it so. We are also in the process of creating several patrol fleets to discourage pirates from taking advantage of the chaos that has erupted as a result of the power-hungry Republic Senate, and to fend off any Republic forces that dare attack us. When we liberate Xagobah you all will see how serious we are about defending each other, our allies, and our freedom! The Separatist Confederacy will allow you to choose...the corrupt Senate will not. So it comes down to this, my fellow sentients...choose your freedom or lose your freedom. The choice is yours...for now...
· ***Late-Breaking News*** After transmitting this edition of the Galactic Holonet News, we received the following message from Count Dooku:
Honored Sir,
I had thought to spare GHN any trouble that may come your way as a result of
running my thoughts about the conflict on the air. I was afraid that the Republic
would attempt to take over your fine organization in an attempt to skew the
truth of my messages. However, your courage in broadcasting the leaked
message in its entirety has both impressed and humbled me. There is no
need for you to rely on secondhand, leaked information. Should you
wish to receive a feed from my State of the Confederacy Speeches, all you need
do is ask. You see, the "form letters" Chancellor
Palpatine is going on about are actually transcripts of monthly addresses
to the leaders of the Worlds of the Confederacy. I have deliberately kept
them generic, not mentioning any names or places, to give any world that wished
to remain neutral plausible deniability. How can Governor so-and-so be accused of sedition against the Republic and
of having contact with rebels if everybody has the same "form
letter"? Evidently, things like this don't matter to Chancellor
Palpatine, who is in the throes of a "choose me or die" mentality. It
is the protection of innocents that I seek, not the use of "cheap
tactics". No, the use of cheap tactics in my book involves
transcripts of the following three messages (attach messages from Veema Lystra, Bpfassh,
and Thyferra). The ultimatum given to Princess Veema, the outright lie given to the people of Bpfassh (Xagobah, Bfpassh, and Praesitlyn jointly declared for the Confederacy last
month), and the implied threat given to the people of Thyferra
indicate the content of Chancellor Palpatine's
"personal attention", attention I would not want directed at myself,
much less the innocent beings of the galaxy who wish to remain apart from this
conflict. All we of the Confederacy ask is for there to be a return to
the service oriented Senate of old, not this power-hungry, money grubbing,
deceitful Senate of today. A senate that built an army
behind the back of the People of the Republic. Behind
the back of their OWN members. And, most
alarmingly, behind the back of the Jedi Council. Is this the kind
of government the galaxy wishes for itself? This army only reveals the
Senate's true intentions. They have planned to establish an Empire from
the start, but the formation of the Separatist Confederacy forced them to act
prematurely, and we may now be the galaxy's only hope for democratic
rule. Six systems have fallen under the hammer of the Clone Army, surely
with more to follow. Confederacy Forces have not ventured anywhere
they were not welcomed, yet the so-called "Grand Army of the
Republic" rampages around the galaxy like a wounded lion in the throes of
death, lashing out at perceived threats were there are only wishes to stay out
of the way when juggernauts collide. This cannot be allowed. Where
is the Jedi Council in this? Where are the much-vaunted Defenders of
Justice? Why do they stand idly by as system after system, world after world, falls under the heel of the Army of the Republic?
Could it be that they are paralyzed, impotent against the now obviously corrupt
Senate? Perhaps the darkness that has befallen the Senate, so near to the
I must beg your pardon, sir. As you can tell, I am very passionate about
my cause. You have inadvertently received a preview of my next address to
the Confed Leaders. Also attached to the end of
this file is my first address to the Confederacy. You may use any of this
material as you see fit, but note that Chancellor Palpatine will most likely
deny the truth in the messages, calling them counterfeit transmissions from the
"Separatist Propaganda Machine".
May the Force be with you,
Count Dooku
The messages Count Dooku refers to in his message are available
upon request from any viewer wishing to read them and was not included here
only in the interests of space.
February 20, 2003
·
The Republic’s military has seemed to have sprung
up totally overnight. Clone Troopers are
being reported to have sprung up overnight.
It has become a common sight to see the distinctive white armor of the
Troops walking down the streets keeping order in this time of crisis. “They just seemed to appear overnight,” one
loyal Republic citizen commented. “I’m
glad to see them walking down the street, as I actually feel like I’m
protected. You never really ever saw
Jedi walking about.” Supreme Chancellor
Palpatine has commented that the Clone Troopers being used as a Ground Security
Forces is a temporary measure to soothe the population and to let them know
that the Republic will protect them in these times of crisis.
·
Galactic Holonet News has lost contact with several
of it’s field offices, most notably on Kalarba,
Rhommamool, and Xagobah. Communication is
being blocked at the source. Folks, it
looks like this war is erupting fast. We
will, of course, keep you inform.
·
Galactic Holonet News has learned that the
Neimodian Shipyards was on a high state alert
today. Reports indicate that there was a
heavy firefight and Lightsabers were involved.
Trade Federation officials as well as Confederacy officials declined to
comment on the incident, only stating that it was an Internal Security Matter
that was still under investigation.
January 31, 2003
·
***Top News***
War broke out today on Geonosis when forces loyal to the Galactic
Republic attack forces loyal to the newly formed Confederacy of Independent
States. Reports are still sketchy, but
it appears that the Republic used a newly formed Clone Army, organized at the
request of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine when he was granted Emergency Powers by
the Senate to deal with the Separatist movement that has become the Confederacy
of Independent States. The Confederacy
withdrew it’s forces from Geonosis after heavy
fighting and has withdrawn into Confederacy held territory. The Clone Army has withdrawn to Coruscant,
where they are to receive their marching orders. Galactic Holonet News inquired
the Jedi Temple
·
In financial news, the Galactic Stock Market took a
dip with the news of the war. Companies
that specialize in Consumer Goods were particularly hard hit. On the other side, Kuat
Drive Yards posted big gains today when news broke that the Acclamator
Class Assault ships used in the Republic’s attack on Geonosis were built by KDY
subsidiaries and that they have received a contract to produce more for the War
Effort.
Last Updated March 26, 2003
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