HOLONET NEWS Volume 351. #46. 13:3:07

Palpatine Sets Army Vote Date
Calls on Republic’s Citizens to guide Republic through “storm.”
SENATE ROTUNDA, CORUSCANT — Supreme Chancellor Palpatine took to the general channels of the HoloNet yesterday to announce the hotly debated Military Creation Act will finally be settled next month. Palpatine announced the date of 5:16 for the full Senate vote on the creation of an Army of the Republic.
“Above all things, this is a democratic union, and we will turn to the will of the people to decide this most contentious issue. Even when times are turbulent, we will always look to the Republic’s citizens, through their elected representatives, to guide this grand vessel through any storm,” said Palpatine.
Though reaction is strong on both sides of the Army debate, there is at least some consensus: a sense of relief that two years worth of bureaucratic stalemating is finally being resolved.
“I applaud the Supreme Chancellor for taking the initiative to end this pointless debate,” said Senator Aks Moe (Malastare). “We’ve wasted enough time while our enemies conspire against us. By year’s end, I predict a strong, proud unified army working side by side with the Jedi order to protect our worlds.”
Vocal opponent Senators caution that the vote could serve to provoke increased hostilities with Separatists forces. “Make no mistake, [a yes vote] will galvanize the Separatists, and be seen by them as an invitation to war,” said Senator Tendau Bendon (Ithor). “Every Senator must think heavily upon the consequences of next month’s decision. We are not just voting on the creation of a defense force, but rather our votes will determine the start of open hostilities.”
Others, like Senator Garm Bel Iblis (Corellia), were more pragmatic about the issue. “Where is this army going to come from? Who will get stuck with the bill for its creation? The Republic taxpayer. We should stay with Planetary Security Forces that have worked for centuries. The Corellian people are not going to pay for both CorSec and this Republic Army.”
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The Supreme Chancellor avoided partisan arguments, though his past statements have indicated he is against the Military Creation Act. “My ultimate goal is a peaceful resolution to this conflict, above all,” said Palpatine at the end of his announcement. “But if such a resolution requires the creation of a military, as decreed by the Senate, then I will abide by the will of the Republic, a Republic that has stood strong for a thousand generations, that has enjoyed peace for a thousand years.”
The two-month interim before the vote will allow for distant Senators to return to Coruscant, while gauging public opinion within their constituencies. Individual sector and planetary referendums are expected to be common in the coming weeks.
The exact phrasing of the vote was not revealed by Palpatine, but is likely to be a simple yes/no proposition on creating an Army of the Republic. After that, it is likely a commission will be set up with appointed Senators to determine military resource allocation.
“How long will those decisions take? It’s taken two years just to table the vote. By the time we determine which sector and planetary forces will contribute to the military, there may not be any systems left in the Republic,” said Senator Tikkes (Mon Calamari). “If Palpatine thinks this issue will go away with this vote, he’s more naïve than I thought.”
Baktoid Closes Down Five More Plants
TERMIN, METALORN — In a statement issued to shareholders, Baktoid Armor Workshop confirmed that they will close down five more plants in the Inner Rim and Colonies as a direct result of Republic regulations that have hindered their battle droid program.
Baktoid plants on Foundry, Ord Cestus, Telti, Balmorra and Ord Lithone will close by month’s end. An estimated 12.5 million employees will be laid off as a result.
Legislation passed by the Senate eight years ago forced the disbanding of the Trade Federation’s security forces, the largest single consumer of Baktoid’s combat automata and vehicles. Further licensing restrictions on the sale of battle droids made the purchase of such hardware prohibitively expensive for most of Baktoid’s clientele.
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The statement, a Basic text-only communiqué attributed to Techo Union foreman and Baktoid executive Wat Tambor, made no indication as to future Baktoid plans to counter these losses.
“According to last year’s annual statement, Baktoid is still pulling in the same rawmat figures, yet hasn’t diversified its product,” says business analyst Deregue Hiatt. “We have a company that’s spending, buying resources, but isn’t making or selling goods. You can bet shareholders aren’t happy.”
At the start of the year, Baktoid officials explained the increased purchases of rawmats as investment in future diversification, something that has yet to be reflected in the company’s product catalog. The late Senator Lanus Wrede (Sermeria) made headlines when he suggested that Baktoid was using said materials in secret Outer Rim plants, free from Republic regulations.
Such claims were refuted by business analysts, as well as a three-month investigation. The scandal amounted to an unrecoverable political blunder on Wrede’s part, which led to his suicide earlier in the year.
“Doing something like [Wrede described] isn’t good business either,” adds Hiatt. “There are no markets out there in the Outer Rim, and the added cost of transporting finished product back to the Republic markets would be unreasonably prohibitive. None of Baktoid’s wares have shown up in the black market in figures that would suggest that Wrede was onto something.”
15 Dead in Houk / Weequay Brawl at Eastport
EASTPORT, CORUSCANT — A three-hour melee between Houk and Weequay immigrants at an Eastport processing station has left 15 dead and 45 wounded.
The fracas began at 0810 this morning when tensions between the Houks and Weequays, who have long been cultural enemies, were compounded by being placed in adjacent holding rooms while waiting to be processed. According to witnesses, the conflict began verbally, before turning into bloodshed.
“Each group was complaining loudly about having to be put next to the other one,” said Rievale Creterk, a flight attendant who was witness to the melee. “Suddenly there was a lot of shouting and it started off as a brawl between two of them. Everyone started jumping in, and it all went to hell.”
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Though no shots were fired by the combatants, since blasters are prohibited within the processing concourse, several were armed with makeshift shivs and concealed blades. Many innocent passersby were injured as the brawl spread from the processing station to the nearby food court. Also, several civilians attempted to calm the enraged combatants, only provoking attacks upon themselves.
Eastport Security first attempted to clear the public concourses before opening fire, but the fight had attracted many spectators. When it was decreed safe to do so, security personnel fired stun blasts, though the massive Houks were at first unaffected by the shots.
“Since Weequays started dropping from the hits first, the Houks just took it to mean they were winning, and they started fighting even harder,” described Creterk. Security then concentrated fire on the Houks, stunning them into unconsciousness. They were finally able to clear the remaining combatants three hours after the violence started.
“It was terrible, there was so much blood and damage. Bodies were everywhere. I kept looking, hoping to see a Jedi, but there’s never one around when you need one these days,” said Creterk, who suffered a broken arm in the scuffle.
Jedi Refuse to Hand Over Baby Ludi
JEDI TEMPLE, CORUSCANT — Three weeks after a formal petition, the Jedi Council refused to hand over Baby Ludi to her mother, Jonava Billane.
Breaking the Jedi Council’s usual silence on the issue, a representative issued an explanation of the Jedi Code that forbids the return of the child to its birth-parent.
“We have opened the child’s mind to the larger world of the Force,” explained Jedi Master Coleman Trebor. “The child is awakened, and to return it to the birth-parents at this stage would be far too dangerous. It is in everyone’s best interests and safety for the child to remain in Jedi custody.”
A visibly distraught Billane continued her determined campaign that saw her spend what meager funds she had to travel from Ord Thoden to Coruscant. “What about my own code?” she said to reporters on the steps of the Jedi Temple. “I believe that a child should be with her mother, and won’t stop until I have Ludi back in my arms.”
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The custody drama began six months ago, when the child was discovered in the ruins of the Ord Thoden capital of Domitree, after a quake devastated the city. Jedi rescue workers found the child to have Force potential and took the baby girl into custody, naming her Aris-Del Wari.
Standard Jedi procedure would have required parental consent prior to adopting the child into the Jedi order, but the parents were missing and presumed dead. A month later, a convalescing Jonava Billane was found in an outskirt town, and her concerted search for her baby, which she named Ludi, has since led her to Coruscant.
With no established procedure to deal with this situation, Republic Judiciary officials are scrambling to find a resolution. Already Billane’s pleas have attracted a popular following, and her formal petition to the Jedi Council, delivered by her sector’s representative, Senator Boganni Hrul, made headlines throughout the galaxy.
The People’s Inquest, a grassroots Jedi watch-group, has helped Billane on her pursuit. “This is just further evidence that the Jedi order needs to be held accountable to the people who subsidize its operations,” said Inquest leader Thrynka Padaunete.
Opinions from the Street
“Given that the parent never gave her consent, I don’t know what the issue it is, The Jedi say it’s dangerous, but how can a six-month old child be dangerous?”
Lomina Argo Systems Analyst
“I think this has passed beyond a simple custody dispute, and those involved are just using it to push their own agendas, using that poor woman as a political tool.”
Hraashi Lool University Student
“Well, peoples gotta understand that them Jedis gots their rules to live by. It’s their rules that have made the galaxy safe. Well, until now, anyways.”
Slyther Bushforb Private Investigator
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“Why is this still making news? The [expletive deleted] Republic is tearing itself apart, and we’re talking about a snot-nosed brat and his whining mother.”
Wuuden Malnic Courier
Incom / Subpro Development Deal Cancelled
COROMON ISLAND, FRESIA — After 125 years of partnership, Incom and Subpro are calling it quits. Representatives from both companies have called it an amicable split, though analysts point to the faltering Subpro sales as the underlying reason. “Subpro losses were dragging down Incom’s perceived value, so they’re doing some much needed housecleaning,” says business analyst Deregue Hiatt. Their last co-venture, the Incom/Subpro Z-95AF4 met a lukewarm reception, and marked the end of the venerable Headhunter line. Incom reportedly purchased the intellectual property rights and proprietary systems of the Z-95 prior to the dissolution of the partnership.
Dooku Bounty Posting Still A Mystery
NEW VERTICA, NAR SHADDAA — Authorities are still attempting to discover the source of an unregistered and therefore illegal bounty posting on Count Dooku of Serenno found on a Nar Shaddaa datanet. The posting, offering 1 million Republic credits standard for the delivery of Dooku’s remains, was discovered two weeks ago on the public datanet. The posting was not listed in the Republic Enforcement DataCore or the Bounty Hunters Guild. The contact information leads to a dummy message account from which no leads were discovered. The Republic has roundly rejected involvement in the posting of the bounty on the secessionist movement’s loudest advocate. “This current crisis will be resolved through procedure and negotiation, not illegal vigilantism,” stressed Mas Amedda, Vice Chair of the Senate.
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Army Vote Prompts Chandrilan Public Safety Walk-out
HANNA CITY, CHANDRILA — Following the announcement of the Army Vote over general HoloNet channels, the 575 employees of Chandrila’s Public Safety Commission, responsible for medical and emergency crisis response in Hanna City, walked off the job for 48 standard hours. “We have our duties, and will return to them,” assured protesting worker Ocandra Leeds. “But we wanted to demonstrate our objection to this turn of events in a way that would be remembered. Handing over homeland security to the Republic will result in depersonalized services here at home, as tax revenues earmarked for local forces are instead funneled to support the Army of the Republic.”
Prior to the walk-out, Public Safety employees did take care to program droid assistants to handle the increased workload, something that will be weighed by Chandrila’s government when judging the protestor’s actions. “Chandrila has always encouraged and fostered free, responsible speech, and it would appear that these workers took every measure to ensure their absence would not endanger anyone,” said Govenor Tanis Mothma.
Sullustans Elect President
SOROSUUB CENTROPLEX, SULLUST — Beolars Bribbs became the new President of the Sullustan Council and CEO of SoroSuub Corporation as Sullustan citizens and SoroSuub shareholders exercised their democratic rights yesterday.
Bribbs’ becoming the head of the Sullustan Council now means the entire ruling body is composed of SoroSuub executives. The mineral-processing company and manufacturer of diverse consumer products employs half of the planet’s population.
A constitutional amendment enacted ten years ago saw voting privileges extended to all SoroSuub shareholders, and not just citizens of Sullust. Since then, the Sullustan Council has gradually become an extension of the corporation.
“In a time of uncertainty, Sullust has prospered by adhering to the values that have made it a continuing success in a crowded market,” said Bribbs in his inaugural speech. “Hard work, persistence, and the cherishing of family is the Sullustan brand identity.”
Representatives from the Commerce Guild, of which
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SoroSuub is a key signatory, attended the inauguration as esteemed guests. Shu Mai, head of the Guild, supported Bribbs statements’ to resounding applause. “Sullust shines as a nova of capitalism. Its robust economy supports a healthy, happy and profitable population. This world exemplifies the wondrous possibilities and merits of corporate growth.”
Among Bribbs’ first duties in office will be the tabling of a new amendment that will see shareholder votes equaling twice the value of non-shareholder votes in future elections.
Riots Rock Kabal
SHORIBUS, KABAL — After two months of going without food shipments, the citizenry of Kabal’s capital city of Shoribus broke into deadly riots. The Kabal central government attempted to ease the disgruntled populace by issuing free vouchers good for actual foodstuffs upon arrival, but that gesture only sparked further aggression. The Kabal Central Citadel was damaged by protestors, with a small portion of its northern wing set ablaze. Kabal authorities are attempting to bring the protestors under control. There are no official reports as to casualties or damage estimates. Kabal was previously serviced by Trade Federation freighters, but increased Republic taxation on the Sharlissian Trade Corridor made the route cost-prohibitive. Unlicensed independent traders have taken up the cargo runs, but they have not been able to keep up with demand.
Pergitor Coup Leaves Thousands Dead
MINOS CLUSTER NODE — The exiled leaders of the Church of Infinite Perception have reclaimed rule of the planet Pergitor in a bloody coup, ending what they call years of “liberal decadence.” The planet had been under strict authoritarian rule for years until a popular revolution of young liberals claimed the world fifteen years ago. Public backlash against the disorganized rule of the younger generation allowed the Church of Infinite Perception, a rigid fundamentalist sect, to gain momentum. Reports indicate that thousands were killed in the coup, and that the former ruling family is now in exile. Given the remoteness of the Minos Cluster, Pergitor’s nebulous affiliation to the Republic and the fact that the
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Church has a strict rule condemning the display of paranormal activity, it is unknown how the Jedi will resolve this issue.
Merson Pirates Attack Sy Myrth Liner
STENNESS DATA NODE — Long-range sensor data compiled by a BoSS network subspace relay has confirmed that the Elegant Wake, a Sy Myrthian passenger liner, was scuttled by Merson pirates.
The transport left Coruscant four days ago, carrying Sy Myrthian refugees returning to their recently seceded planet. Its travel route skirted the Merson asteroid belt, necessitating a reversion to realspace.
A Merson raider group comprising at least five fast-attack vessels emerged from the field and attacked the unarmed liner. The liner carried 456 registered passengers, all Sy Myrthian. The Mersons, who have known ties to the Zygerrian slavers, may have taken the captives alive. The data after the disabling of the craft is distorted by stellar flare activity, making it impossible to determine exactly what became of the ship and its passengers.
Relatives of the victims have been threatening a class action suit against Romodi Interstellar, the operator of the liner, for negligence. They claim that the standard silent running procedure for passing through the asteroid field was botched by crew incompetence, and that the BoSS data will back their claims.
“That the liner registered on anyone’s long range sensors proves that the ship wasn’t following procedure. Now that we’ve actually got data readings of it proves this,” says Roonyard Noon, a Sy Myrthian lawyer whose wife and three children were aboard the Wake.
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Slowing down their pursuit of compensatory damages are increased bureaucratic hurdles now that Sy Myrth is no longer a Republic world and thus its access to the Courts requires special handling.