HOLONET NEWS Volume 351. #48. 13:3:21

HOLONET NEWS Volume 351. #48. 13:3:21
Palpatine to Separatists: Let’s Talk
GALACTIC CITY, CORUSCANT – Supreme Chancellor Palpatine once again took to the HoloNet, not to announce an impending vote or Senate session, but instead to offer an open invitation to Count Dooku, popular leader of the Separatist movement, to parley.
“There are many on both sides of this grand debate eager to turn this dispute into war. It needn’t degenerate into so wasteful an outcome. Together, we have the intelligence and the reason to find an alternative solution.”
Palpatine was firm, composed, yet showed signs of exhaustion in the brief, 12-minute address. He sat at his elegant chair in his Executive Office. No aides attended Palpatine, though his controversial Red Guards did silently flank him.
The transmission overrode all government channels and 90 percent of private feeds, interrupting regular programming. Visible to trillions upon trillions of viewers, Palpatine’s address was directed to a single spectator — Count Dooku himself.
“I appeal to your sensibilities developed as a revered Jedi. I was witness not only to your practiced brand of diplomacy during the Sevarcos Dispute of three decades ago, but also of your former apprentice’s noble efforts to protect the sovereign of my world. From these examples, I know you are a proponent of peace.
“We have much in common, sir, for it is the inefficiencies of the Republic that are the focus of my Chancellery. But the solution lies not in insurrection, but rather through reform. The system will work, and together we will make it work.”
Count Dooku’s whereabouts are unknown, necessitating the Chancellor’s HoloNet-wide address. The former Jedi Master and Count of Serenno disappeared ten years ago, only to re-emerge two years ago at various Mid and Inner Rim worlds with a fiery rhetoric that has fueled the Separatist movement.
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The Jedi Council has consistently dismissed claims that Dooku’s orders have resulted in the scattered flashpoints of violence throughout the galaxy. Instead, they attribute the skirmishes to opportunists simply using the banner of the Separatists to pursue their own agendas.
“It is with great regret that we reflect upon the loss of Master Dooku from the order,” said Senior Jedi Council member Mace Windu last year, following the secessionist-sparked Battle of Antar 4. “But he is still the product of Jedi training and upbringing. It is impossible that he is stirring the Separatists to take up arms.”
At the end of his address, Chancellor Palpatine named Bothawui, a neutral world, as a potential site for conference. Though he did not name a date for security reasons, the Chancellor did announce that all avenues of communication to his office were open to the Count.
Pundits are split as to the end result of Palpatine’s message, and what it means to his political career. “I applaud the Supreme Chancellor’s attempt at looking for peaceful avenues,” said Senator Orn Free Taa (Ryloth). “That he should take this initiative, seemingly without consultation, is troubling, though.”
“It’s shameful,” said Senator Onaconda Farr (Rodia). “He’s trying to outtalk a fire consuming our worlds, or negotiate a dam from bursting. Why not just hand over the Republic to that mind-wizard? He’s a fool if he thinks this cowardly misstep is going to blunt the Military Creation Act.”
Others, like Senator R’shinnos Sh’neel (Genassa), are reserving judgment until further developments. “It was a careful bid. The Chancellor may be meek, but he is an intelligent man. I wouldn’t underestimate him. He’s up to something, I can promise you that.”
Kashyyyk/Trandoshan Talks to Shaky Start
HSSKHOR, TRANDOSHA – Jedi Master Oppo Rancisis arrived today for the first day of the Kashyyyk/Trandosha peace negotiations, though critics of the Jedi were quick to point out that had the delegation arrived four weeks ago, considerable bloodshed would have been averted.
A long-standing blood-feud between the Wookiees and the Trandoshans have brought their neighboring worlds to the brink of war. In addition to these
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tensions, Rancisis was to address the long-standing problem of slavery within the Trandoshan borders, and the ongoing Trandoshan petition for representation within the Senate.
Four weeks ago, the assault of a Wookiee passenger shuttle over one of Trandosha’s moons escalated the already tense situation. Wookiee Senator Yarua used his position to blockade trade to Trandosha until the bodies of the 215 Wookiee passengers could be returned to Kashyyyk for proper burial. The Trandoshans refused, blaming the assault on rogue dissidents, and claiming that Yarua had overstepped his authority. They again cited that Wookiee representation of the Kashyyyk system in the Senate has historically been to the detriment of the Trandoshan people.
“Where were the Jedi peace-keepers then?” asked a Wroonian spectator, one of hundreds of cross-species activists of various political-leanings amassed outside the Hsskhor Tally-house Meeting Halls. “If they had considered this a worthwhile effort last month, then 200 Wookiees and 150 Trandoshans would still be alive.” Similar sentiments were expressed on local Kashyyyk newsnets.
If Trandosha is given concessions amounting to Senate recognition, many believe Senator Yarua would remove Kashyyyk from the Senate altogether and join the Separatist movement.
Corporate Alliance Attacks Slicer Compound
FAKIR SECTOR NODE – Forces of the Corporate Alliance unleashed volleys of missile-delivered retribution to an industrial espionage training center on a remote asteroid in the Fakir sector. Yirt-4138-Grek-12, a 65-kilometer diameter airless rock, became the grave-site for 25 cybernetically-enhanced data thieves when Corporate Alliance tank droids leveled a clandestine compound funded by unknown parties.
“The compound contained unauthorized cybernetic surgery suites that were churning out vessels and cyborgs that have been slicing into Corporate Alliance data-stores,” said Corporate Alliance Magistrate Passel Argente in a holo-message dispatched to shareholders. “This potential revenue-threat has been neutralized.”
A rash of corporate thievery was discovered in the Fakir sector last month with the arrest of Denlace Sachoore, a 24-year old Corporate Alliance clerk found embezzling data in a cranium-implanted vessel drive. Questioning by Alliance expeditors traced her surgery and training back to the asteroid compound.
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In a 7-2 vote, the Alliance Exec board ordered immediate action. Corporate Alliance transports delivered the tank droids 10 kilometers from the compound, which then traveled overland and breached the structure’s pressurization with missile and laser volleys.
Some Republic Senators have gone on record as being concerned with the Alliance’s protection measures, finding their tank droids excessive. On several occasions, Corporate Alliance executives have demonstrated that their tank droids fall within legal boundaries.
“It’s all in the clear, as far as the letter of the law goes,” admits Senator Gopple (Erigorm). “But it couldn’t be more retrograde to the spirit of the law. Since the asteroid was in Alliance space, and clearly in their jurisdiction, though, there’s nothing wrong with what they did, legally speaking.”
“We will do all we can to protect our assets and intellectual properties,” said Argente, concluding his message.
Senator Horox Ryyder Retires
OZLYN GOX, GRAVLEX MED – Bringing an end to over five decades in politics, revered Senator Horox Ryyder retired in a quiet and informal gathering of friends and colleagues in his family compound on Gravlex Med yesterday.
“I trust the younger generation to bring about peace where we have failed,” said Ryyder. “My fuel has been spent keeping what order I could. Fresh talent can now continue where I have left off.”
To that end, Ryyder appointed former Gravlex Med President Zo Howler and his Secondary, Fo Kuna, as his successors. The two will begin Senatorial duty on 3:30, continuing Ryyder’s campaign against the Military Creation Act.
Among the politicians present at the gathering were Senator Bail Organa and former Senator Bail Antilles of Alderaan. Organa presented Ryyder with the Royal Chalcedony Shield, a medal of recognition typically given only to Alderaanians.
“For your peerless championing of civic virtue and uncompromising moral convictions, Alderaan looks to adopt you, Horox Ryyder, as a heroic son. While she is saddened by your departure from the government, she and all her
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people are indebted to your countless contributions to peace and freedom,” said Organa.
Zorba the Hutt Sentenced to 45 Years
GIRIGARD, KIP – The tiny inhabitants of Kip have dealt a large blow to the Desilijic Hutt clan with the conviction of legitimate businessman Zorba Desilijic Tiure for the illegal removal of ulikuo stones. The gems are valued for aesthetics and industrial applications, but their cultural significance warrants unauthorized mining a crime punishable by lifetime imprisonment.
Prime Justice Doori-Doori sentenced the influential Hutt business leader to 15 Kip years (roughly 45 standard years) imprisonment in the Girigard Subsurface Correctional Facility. Zorba’s lawyer, famed Nimbanel attorney Bequin Fobas attempted to appeal, only to be reminded by the magistrate that Kip has no appeal process.
The Grand Council of Nal Hutta sought extradition of Zorba, so that he could be tried by a council of peers within Hutt Space, but local laws blockaded that legal avenue as well. Third party Republic Judiciaries backed Kip provisions preventing Zorba’s departure.
Not all Hutt potentates were against the trial, as rival Besadii clan leader Aruk the Hutt applauded the verdict. “Zorba has been a shameful pus-filled boil on the glorious Hutt business community, and this sentencing is a heated lancing long overdue. His selfish antics have given an unwarranted criminal taint to the Hutt reputation that can now begin to rebuild with his absence.”
Desilijic clan leaders will abide by the sentence, but have launched their own investigation into the affair, believing Zorba to have been set up by business rivals. “We will respect the findings of the Kip Prime Justice,” said Desilijic leader Jiliac the Hutt, “but it’s our contention that our brother was deliberately misled as to the nature of local customs by parties looking to profit from his absence.”
Zorba’s son Jabba the Hutt, an influential shipping magnate in the Outer Rim, wasted no time seizing Zorba’s properties on Nar Shaddaa, Shaum Hii and Tyne’s Horky in an effort to protect them.
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Kip penal security forces have been placed on full alert as breakout attempts were deemed likely by the Prime Justice.
People’s Inquest Demand Jedi Budget Reports
JUDICIAL ARCOLOGY, CORUSCANT – The Judicial Department has denied the People’s Inquest demands to reveal budgetary information regarding the Jedi order. The People’s Inquest, a Coruscant-based lobbying group built around enforcing the accountability of the Jedi order, began the formal petition for information following last week’s unveiling of the new Jedi starfighter.
“We, as the tax-payers that subsidize the Judicial Department and the Jedi order have every right to see how those credits are spent. How much is this new fancy toy costing us, the people who are now finding it difficult to clothe and feed our families?” said Inquest leader Thrynka Padaunete through a loud-hailer before a vociferous crowd of supporters gathered at the steps of the Jedi Temple.
Citing security concerns, the Judicial Department denied the request. “Especially in such times, security takes precedent. There are enemies of the Republic that could exploit such information,” Judicial Department Information Director Laddinare Torbin told HoloNet news.
The People’s Inquest, which has set up a temporary camp outside the Jedi Temple last month, will continue its pursuit of information, said Padaunete. Their petition has already garnered “several million” signatures, she told her followers.
The popular movement has been gaining support since Jedi public opinion plummeted following their failure to prevent the Battle of Antar 4.
Baby Ludi’s Mother to Appear on Essence
PHELAR, ERIADU – Jonava Billane, mother of Baby Ludi, the infant subject of a heated custody dispute with the Jedi Council, will appear on an upcoming episode of Essence, the popular talk show based out of Eriadu.
Eriadu network executives will pay for Billane’s transit to the Seswenna sector. “We’re doing a full hour with Jonava,” said Producer Garox Tronten. “We’re not going the microsecond blip route. This is an important story and we want to devote a full hour examining the insides, the outs, the layers, the whole
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deal. Are the Jedi kidnapping and raising an army of mind-controlled youths? We’ll get to the bottom of it.” The episode will premiere on the 3rd. The previously scheduled interview with Mas Amedda will be rotated to later this year.