HOLONET NEWS Volume 351. #56. 13:5:16

HOLONET NEWS Volume 351. #56. 13:5:16
Palpatine Confident in Negotiations Supreme Chancellor’s Address Full of Optimism
GALACTIC CITY, CORUSCANT – In last night’s Address to the Republic, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine expressed renewed confidence in a peaceful solution to the Separatist crisis and commitment to negotiation efforts, though his statements reflected an acceptance of a likely yes vote in today’s election.
“Regardless of the outcome of the Military Creation Act Vote, the primary path that this administration will adhere to is one of civility and intelligent discourse,” said Palpatine. “If the constituents decide that a Grand Army of the Republic is indeed essential to the safety of our citizenry, we will erect a formidable force to assist our Jedi in maintaining the peace, not in starting a war.”
“I assure the families of the Republic that hostilities will only be engaged in retaliation or in the protection of Republic soil, or in response to brazen acts of warfare brought on by the Separatists. It is not this office’s desire to incite war,” the Chancellor reiterated.
“On election day, we will demonstrate the strength of democracy as thousands of delegates make their voices heard in the Senate. It is this cherished freedom we must protect, at all costs. The days and months ahead call for clear, rational thinking. It is only as a last resort that arms will replace words as the means of settling this dispute,” he said in conclusion. A full transcript of his address is available on official government channels.
BREAKING NEWS: Amidala Attacked Senator Believed Dead in Massive Explosion Naboo Cruiser torn to Shreds
GALACTIC CITY, CORUSCANT – The skies over the Naboo embassy were filled with flames, debris and tragedy when Senator Padmé Amidala’s cruiser was destroyed in a massive explosion.
According to satcam footage, as the Naboo cruiser touched down on its hovering multi-lobed landing pad, escorted by three Naboo N-1 starfighters, an
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explosion tore through the gleaming silvery craft. Hurling debris destroyed an accompanying fighter. At least seven people were believed killed in the blast.
Security and medical workers from the nearby Naboo embassy are rushing to the scene to investigate. It is currently believed that Senator Padmé Amidala is among the dead.
As per safety protocols, the cruiser avoided the more heavily trafficked skyroutes as it flew from orbital space into Galactic City. The explosion does not appear to be the result of malfunction, but rather a deliberate bombing. It is too early to conclusively tell, but the explosion appears to have originated from the cruiser and not the landing platform, suggesting sabotage originating from offworld.
Senator Amidala, 24, was arriving on Coruscant to cast her vote in the Military Creation Act. The leader of the opposition against Republic militarization, Amidala had no shortage of enemies wishing to silence her.
More on this tragedy as it develops; paid subscribers to the full-feed edition of HoloNet News will receive round-the-chrono coverage and updates on this developing story.
Senator Padmé Amidala – A Life of Service cut Tragically Short
Born to humble parents in a small mountain village on Naboo, Padmé Naberrie was raised for a life of public service. Like all Naboo, she was instilled with a strong sense of civic duty at a young age, and schooled in both local politics and foreign affairs.
While still a child, young Padmé served in the Refugee Relief Movement’s efforts during the Shadda-Bi-Boran exodus. At the age of 8, she joined the Apprentice Legislators, formally announcing her intent to follow a career in politics. She was then appointed Senatorial Advisor, and then became Princess of Theed at age 12.
Padmé earned the title Queen Amidala in a planet-wide election that lasted less than four seconds. A combination of exceptional scores on her education certificate and her conviction of reform following the scandalous reign of King Veruna secured her position.
Amidala came to galactic prominence a decade ago following the blockading of Naboo by the Trade Federation. She helped unite the disparate populaces of
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Naboo, including the normally isolationist Gungan natives, into a resistance movement that forcibly overturned the Federation occupation.
Having served to her term limitations, Amidala stepped down as Queen despite an enormously popular following. The people of Naboo would have gladly amended the constitutionally entrenched limitations to keep Amidala serving longer. Though she had every right to retire to a quiet life of family, she accepted the new Queen Jamillia’s request to serve as Senator of Naboo.
Since the start of the Separatist crisis two years ago, Amidala had been a strong proponent of peace and negotiation. She headed the Campaign against Republic Militarization and traveled throughout the Mid Rim espousing her beliefs of peaceful reconciliation with the disaffected worlds of the Republic.
Senate Speeder Thief Arrested
USCRU DISTRICT, CORUSCANT – Senator Simon Greyshade sure didn’t bet on this happening. Thanks to a hyper-accurate tracking device built into the vehicle of speeder-enthusiast Senator Greyshade (Vorzyd), the one-of-a-kind custom flying machine was recovered within 30 minutes of being stolen from a Senatorial Quarters parkway.
“That speeder is one of my most prized possessions,” said a visibly shaken Greyshade. “It took my mechanics years to perfect it. It’s a gonzo color. I won’t rest until I’ve destroyed the life of the sleemo who took it.”
Though the day’s earlier events brought extra security to the Senatorial residential tower, staff became distracted by a wayward traffic droid who smashed a window on one of the building’s upper floors. Holocams detected a young human male leaping in to the vehicle and tearing away recklessly. Security devices alerted authorities who quickly located the empty speeder parked carefully over 100 kilometers away on Vos Gesal Street.
“A somewhat disoriented youth came out of the nearby Snapping Septoid entertainment facility,” said investigating officer Wets Tranoj. “When he saw us looking at the speeder, he began shouting and pushed us away.”
Officials learned the man, Reymet Autem, was the 20-year-old son of Senator Greyshade’s designated senate security guard, Sagoro Autem. Reymet was placed in custody after admitting to visiting his father at Greyshade’s residence earlier that evening.
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“I never fully trusted that kid,” stated Greyshade. “He was always protective and envious of my speeder.”
In another strange twist, the speeder briefly went missing a second time while security forces processed Autem’s arrest. It was quickly located back in its designated parkslot at Greyshade’s complex. “With high-profile cases involving politicians, rookies can get nervous,” explained Tranoj. “Someone obviously got over-anxious and returned the vehicle without filing documentation.”
Antitrust Suits Dropped in Light of Separation
EXPANSION REGION NODE – The Judicial Department has cleared over 2,000 pending antitrust suits against the Commerce Guild following the secession of several Mid and Outer Rim sectors that no longer have any coverage by Republic laws.
The suits, some of which have been on the backlogs for over six years, contend that the Commerce Guild has been bullying competitors in its lucrative commodities markets, sometimes even unleashing private droid armies to enforce guild membership.
“These small local companies are in for a shock now that they’re no longer protected by Republic laws and trade borders,” said Fourth Assistant Attorney General Kevzod Stenir. “Since Republic law holds no sway in their sectors, there’s nothing to stop the guilds and Federation from taking charge.”
As an example, Stenir cited the gas giant of Tyed Kant, whose private coalition of food growers had long opposed Commerce Guild membership in favor of managing their own affairs. “With the secession of its governing worlds, Tyed Kant was promptly invaded by the Commerce Guild and forced to sign a treaty,” said Stenir.
Commerce Guild President Shu Mai denied any orchestrated plans to take over private ventures in Separatist territories. “The Attorney General is being a tad dramatic in his recollection of the Tyed Kant investment. That was a move to ensure that such valuable food commodities stay within the trade-flow of the Republic and not fall into Separatist hands,” she said. “Understand that we are examining each market secession on a case by case basis. These losses are hitting us as hard as anyone, I assure you.”
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Jedi Starfighters Moved to Eriadu Base
PHELAR, ERIADU – The Jedi Council has moved a squadron of a dozen Delta-7 Aethersprite starfighters to the busy Phelar Port of Eriadu, bolstering Republic security in the Seswenna sector which now borders a sizable Separatist front. The sleek wedge-shaped starfighters have been stationed at the Eriadu Planetary Security Launchport complex. “The Jedi order has the full support and cooperation of Eriadu and the Seswenna sector,” said Brigadier Gideon Tarkin in a ceremony that welcomed the fighters to the base. Tarkin then joined Jedi Master Hyris-Well Madorin to discuss increased security measures for the Rimma Trade Route.
Lahara Patrol Attacked, Jedi to Send Aid
OUTER RIM NODE – Separatist extremists opened fire on a Space Rescue Corp patrol cutter on the borders of the Lahara sector yesterday, prompting an emergency Jedi taskforce to be dispatched to the area.
The Iron Tether was strafed by a quartet of Subpro C-73 Tracker starfighters backed by a modified Corellian freighter despite transmitting its identifying telesponder signal and flying its recognizable red and black hull colors.
“When the engagement began, there may have been the off-chance the Separatists didn’t recognize the vessel as a Rescue Corp ship,” said Corps Director Rowen Foce, “but once they closed to attack, there’s no way they could have missed the markings. An attack on an unarmed rescue ship is nothing short of barbaric.”
The Tether was on a routine patrol mission of a dense nebulosity known as the Cowl Crucible, a deep space phenomena that straddles the Lahara and Oricho sector borders. Ships often suffer unexpected hyperspace reversions by passing too close to the Crucible, becoming stranded and in need of aid.
As the Tether continued its survey, it traveled closer to the Lahara sector border, an area of space that has since seceded from the Republic. Apparently without warning, the Separatist vessels attacked the Tether.
“The cutter had its shields overloaded and sustained damage to its hull and hyperdrive. To hinder pursuit, its captain was forced to take cover within the Crucible. Because of the damage to the shielding, the crew was exposed to dangerous levels of radiation while in hiding. Thankfully, no one was killed by the exposure, but the crew is currently undergoing antirad treatment,” Foce told
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reporters today.
A taskforce led by Jedi Master Darrin Arkanian has been dispatched to the distant Oricho sector to patrol the border and offer security to travelers on the Republic-side of the border.
BREAKING NEWS: Amidala Alive Determined Senator Addresses Senate Military Creation Act Vote Delayed
In an unparalleled display of devotion to service, Senator Padmé Amidala, believed killed in a terrorist strike this morning, emerged alive and well in time for the day’s Military Creation Act vote, though the Vote was postponed pending security reviews.
Amidala made her dramatic entrance in the middle of words of mourning by Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, who delayed the vote to grieve the Senator’s demise.
“Her death is a great loss to us all,” the Supreme Chancellor said. “We will all mourn her as a relentless champion of freedom. And as a dear friend.”
The Senate then broke into partisan bickering as the vote was motioned to be to be deferred by Senator Orn Free Taa (Ryloth). The arguments subsided into gasps of surprise as Senator Amidala interrupted the fray with strong words of protest against the Military Creation Act.
“An assassination attempt was made upon my life,” the Senator said. “One of my bodyguards and six others were ruthlessly and senselessly murdered. I was the target, but more importantly, the security measure before you was the target. I have led the opposition to building this army, and someone will stop at nothing to assure its passage.”
The Senate vote, which was to be completed within the 0800 hour, was instead deferred to a later session sometime tomorrow. Pro-military Senators have wasted no time accusing Supreme Chancellor Palpatine of overstepping his authority in stalling the vote.
“Palpatine has never been behind the Military Creation Act, and was ready to stall it when the leader of the opposition appeared to be dead,” said Senator
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Candabrine Bu (Lansono). “Would he have done so if it was a pro-military Senator who was killed? And when she showed up alive, he postpones the vote anyway. I seriously doubt whether he had intended for the vote to pass today at all.”
Prior to the session’s adjournment, Amidala cautioned about the consequences of the Military Creation Act. “Wake up, Senators! You must wake up! If you offer the Separatists violence, they can only show violence in return. Many will lose their lives, all will lose their freedoms. I pray you do not let fear push you into disaster. Vote down this security measure, which is nothing less than a declaration of war. Does anyone here want that? I cannot believe they do.”