HOLONET NEWS Volume 351. #53. 13:4:25

HOLONET NEWS Volume 351. #53. 13:4:25
Would-Be Saboteur Captured Jedi Apprehend Attempted Terrorist
YAG’DHUL EMBASSY, CORUSCANT – The vigilance of a civilian Givin worker and the swift response of two of the most renowned Jedi Masters averted disaster today, as a would-be saboteur was apprehended at the Yag’dhul Ambassadorial Landing Platform.
Gavrilonnis Tejere, a 22-year old Givin maintenance worker, was spotted by co-worker Jujiran Halbeet working on the repulsor assembly that kept the landing platform aloft.
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“I thought it odd, since the maintenance of such systems was not among his assigned variables,” said Halbeet. “I processed it several times, but kept coming up with an irrational remainder, so I queried him. That’s when he fired.”
Tejere drew a blaster pistol and fired, injuring Halbeet, and sending the wounded co-worker reeling off the platform, tumbling into open air.
It was at that exact moment that an air taxi ferrying Jedi Masters Yoda and Mace Windu entered the area. Using their supernatural abilities, the Jedi were able to save Halbeet, and safely deposit him on an adjacent rooftop.
The Jedi were returning from a meeting in the neighboring Ansion Embassy when they noticed the disturbance. Security holocams recorded the subsequent confrontation as the two Jedi directed their vehicle to the surface of the platform.
“Put the weapon down,” Master Windu commanded. Tejere fired two shots, the first going wide the second harmlessly deflected into the landing pad by Windu’s laser sword.
When Tejere attempted to fire a third time, his weapon flew from his hand, toward the Jedi. Master Yoda caught the weapon, and Master Windu strode toward the now unarmed assailant. Though holo-records are sketchy due to their angle of recording, it appears Windu knocked Tejere unconcious through pressure applied to his clavicle.
The saboteur was taken into custody to the nearest Judiciary processing station where he was questioned. The Judicial Department has yet to reveal the details of the questioning, though Master Yoda offered a brief summary. “No connection to Separatists, had he. A lone agitator, he was. Investigate this matter further, we shall.”
The Yag’dhul Ambassadorial Landing Platform has been closed down as Judicial representatives continue to carefully examine it for further evidence of sabotage. Sources tell HoloNet News that Tejere’s sabotage consisted of a programmed malfunction of the primary repulsor modulator of the platform. Had the program executed, it would have crippled the platform, bringing the entire structure crashing down below.
Givin representatives are upset over this current development. Senator Daggibus Scoritoles sent the following holographic missive from the Givin
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Senatorial Tesseract on Yag’dhul. “That one of our own species-set could act against his fellows is incomputable. We are in agreement with findings that this was the act of a lone integer. We have faith in the Judiciary to find an answer, no matter how asymptotic the course may be.”
Despite assurances from the Judiciary and the Jedi that Tejere was not part of the organized Separatist movement, the Senate Bureau of Intelligence is taking threats against Coruscant seriously. “From our viewpoint, it’s irrelevant if he acted alone or was part of an organization. The end result is the same -– there is a threat extending even to here, the heart of the Republic, and we will work to eliminate that threat, by any means necessary,” said SBI Director Armand Isard.
The investigation into Tejere’s activities has been appointed to a special joint taskforce consisting of Judiciary and SBI agents, supervised by Jedi Knight Qu Rhan.
Gotal Standoff Ends Violently Official Freed, Guerillas Killed
SKREEKA, ATZERRI – Despite the best efforts of a Jedi taskforce, the week-long Roshu Sune hostage standoff ended in violence, resulting in the death of 12 hostages, five guerillas, and two Jedi. The guerilla’s intended prisoner, Gotal Emissary Nathanjo Nirrelz has been freed.
The taskforce, led by Sarrissa Jeng, had been engaged in negotiations with the Gotal guerillas, who last week hijacked a commuter hopper with 25 passengers aboard, including Emissary Nirrelz. The hopper was set down in the swamps outside of Skreeka, where the guerillas had a temporary base.
The negotiations were suddenly cut short when blaster fire erupted from the surrounding swamps. Though reports are incomplete, the hijackers within the hopper apparently panicked and began opening fire on their captives.
Though two Jedi — Antyard-Wo Shissan and Kaloor Cofi — were killed in the crossfire, the remaining four Jedi including Jeng stormed the hopper. In the tight confines of the passenger compartment, they were forced to kill the guerillas before any more harm could befall the hostages.
During the fight inside the hopper, one of the guerillas set off a thermite gel bomb which ignited the vessel. The Jedi were able to rescue those aboard.
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Most have since been taken to medical wards in Skreeka or Talos, suffering from burns or smoke inhalation.
“It’s a miracle anyone survived this at all,” said Palhra Wavren, one of the passengers who is currently recovering in Talos Port Medicomplex. “Once we heard shots from the outside, we thought it was all over. The rest is just a blur. There was a lot of shouting and shooting, and we heard the laser swords. The next thing I knew, everything went up in smoke and fire and then went black. I woke up out in the swamps being tended to by a Jedi.”
Not everyone is praising the Jedi; Gotal Foreign Affairs Commune leader Shagrad Loset criticized the Jedi involvement in the crisis. “We specifically asked the Jedi stay out of this, since we were confident we could handle this. It’s a Gotal issue, best handled by Gotal. Unfortunately, they meddled and we can now see the results of lightsaber diplomacy.”
Representatives from the Jedi Council continue to stress that every effort was taken to resolve the matter peacefully. “Those rogue elements who fired from afar were never part of our plan. Our intent was to settle this with words. The Jedi Council condemns the actions of those who would take justice into their own hands through violence, and we commend the Jedi task force on their heroic efforts,” said Jedi Master Shaak Ti from the Jedi Temple on Coruscant.
Sarrissa Jeng and her remaining task force took their dead to the nearest Jedi chapter house on Aleen. They were not available for comment.
Three-Way Hunt Ends with Two Dead
JUDICIAL ARCOLOGY, CORUSCANT – Sent to capture a fugitive alive, Jedi Knight Reeft returned with two dead bodies: his prey and another hunter of his prey.
Rotar Lopani, a thief with ties to Bando Gora, fled Coruscant a month ago allegedly with sensitive diplomatic datapads. Circarpous representatives turned to the Jedi for resolution on the matter, but also filed an 8000-credit reward with the Bounty Hunter’s Guild.
In a crowded market on Brentaal IV, witnesses report Jedi Reeft was following close behind the disguised suspect when Xexto bounty hunter Tosinqas fell from several stories above, crashing down on the Lopani and killing him. Startled by the sound of Reeft’s igniting lightsaber, Tosinqas charged the Jedi halving himself on the drawn weapon.
Guildmaster Cradossk, head of the Bounty Hunter’s Guild, called the incident
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unacceptable. “We’re receiving more and more work from recognized governments within the Republic,” he said. “We need better communication and access with the Jedi Temple to give everyone a clearer line of jurisdiction.”
The Jedi Temple declined to comment.
Tynna to Secede Following Building Disappearance
LUTRIS, TYNNA – An empty hole and a cloud of soot is all that remains where the Tynna Central Government Building stood only two hours earlier. Early investigation suggests the destruction is consistent with recent phenomenon being blamed on so-called stone mite creatures.
General Council Assistant Zobyteeg was the first to alert security. “I looked up from my research and found myself looking at Lutris Lake,” he recalled, “and I don’t have a window. My whole wall was gone by the time I could tell anyone.”
Razelfiin, selected planetary leader by lottery just two months ago, was furious following the building’s evacuation. “This is obviously an act of terrorism. What did the Republic do to stop this? Where are our Jedi?” she said. “That’s it for Tynna. I’ll be contacting Count Dooku once we can establish new government headquarters somewhere.”
Senator Aak Officially Appointed
SENATE ROTUNDA, CORUSCANT – Ask Aak was officially recognized as Senator of Malastare, a position he has been filling since the 4:4th assassination of Senator Aks Moe on Aargau. The recognition started today’s session of the Galactic Senate.
“My esteemed predecessor had a great love for the Republic,” said Aak. “Were it not for this government, Malastare would not enjoy the prosperity that it does today. I look forward to continuing the effort to preserve this proud institution, and assisting the Supreme Chancellor in whatever manner I can.”
Outside the Senate Rotunda, a small but vocal contingent of Dug activists took this opportunity to protest what they call “continued injustices on Malastare.” The Dugs-for-Democracy movement has been calling for recognition by the Gran government for the past seven standard years.
“We call on all spaceworthy Dugs to gather on Coruscant and protest the continued abuse of our people,” said DFD leader Toronaxx. “Aak is no different.
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He’s got Dug slaves just as Moe did.”
Though Aak was unavailable for comment regarding Toronaxx’s statements, Representative Baskol Yeesrim did field the accusation. “The Dugs in the employ of the Gran Protectorate are paid workers enjoying substantial benefits. Though, it doesn’t surprise me to hear the liberal media taking such an anti-Gran slant.”