Holonet News Vol. 46 No. 87

JEDI TEMPLE RECONSTRUCTION HAMPERED BY FUNDING SLOWDOWN

CORUSCANT — Despite public statements from senators, business leaders, and investors promising aid, attempts to repair and rebuild the Jedi Temple on Coruscant have slowed to a crawl because of lack of sponsors. The Temple was damaged recently in a surprise attack on Coruscant by Sith warships. 73 Jedi were reported dead at the Temple, with another 54 still unaccounted for; Jedi Master Vandar Tokare would not respond to rumors that many of those missing Jedi willingly joined the Sith. The attack on Coruscant also did significant damage to the Administrative District, slowing down efforts to coordinate repair efforts, as well as the north pole, severely hampering the planet's water supply and forcing most Coruscanti to rely on off-planet shipments. While most efforts to reach previous Jedi supporters have been met with silence, those who have spoken have indicated that the Jedis' failure to adequately predict and protect Coruscant from invasion has shaken their faith in the Republic's ability to win the war.

SENATOR'S DEATH PROMPTS COALITION TO SOLIDIFY REPUBLIC TIES

CORUSCANT — The recent shooting death of Geonosian senator Mazzag has caused a coalition of Outer Rim senators to reaffirm their loyalty to the Republic. The senators were believed to have ties to Sith terrorists that recently attacked Corulag, but held a press conference that not only stated they would fully cooperate with Republic investigators, but produced the locations of 27 Sith terror cells on Coruscant. Czerka extraction teams soon had members of 19 of the 27 cells in custody. "We will stand firm with the Supreme Chancellor against the Sith, who would resort to cowardly tactics to enforce their policies," said Muba Nilco, the senator from Cholganna.

HERGLIC CONSORTIUM SWEARS LOYALTY TO SITH EMPIRE

After weeks of negotiations, the region of the Colonies known as Herglic Space has agreed to become a vassal of the Sith Empire. Herglic leaders agreed to terms set by Revan, including enabling Sith warships to make use of their spaceports and allowing a Sith occupation force. Despite light protesting on Giju, the Herglic leadership appears to support the alliance, stating on a holofeed that it will broaden their trade routes and enable more sharing of technology with other Sith allies. When pressed about Sith officers having a more direct hand in the Herglic government, President Minn Kooda had no comment. No decision has yet been made by the Republic about the possibility of retrieving the 1,000 troops and two Jedi who had been stationed on Giju and have not been heard from in two weeks.

News in brief:

•Christophsis refuses Telos refugees

•Four Jedi killed in anti-Jedi riots on Ord Sabaok

•Dim-U leader arrested on embezzlement charges

•Czerka Corporation announces stock split

•Gamorr to host Lhosan swoop championship

Holonet News Vol. 46 No. 83

DM's Note: Holonet News is a new semi-regular posting detailing other events happening around the galaxy at the same time as whatever the party is doing.  Most of it is for fluff, but there may occasionally be a hint about future game events included.

38 JEDI CONFIRMED DEAD IN TELOS ATTACK

THANI, TELOS — In the weeks after the Sith's orbital bombardment of Telos IV, Jedi observers have counted thirty-eight of their Order among the missing or dead, among them 68-year-old Cathar Jedi Master Sylvar, famed for fighting in the Sith War against the hordes of Exar Kun.  Bothan Jedi Knight Riskyr Kas'hag, one of the Jedi physicians tending the wounded on the planet, said, "This is a difficult day for the Jedi Order; today we have lost one of our greatest heroes.  Sylvar was a true role model for the Republic; though she lost nearly everything in the Sith War, she remained true to the light until the very end."  Anti-Jedi organization Sentients Against Jedi Intervention quickly seized on the report, releasing a statement that "this confirms our belief that the Jedi were operating an illegal base on Telos IV under the Republic's nose."  Identifying bodies has proven very difficult for the Republic, as the Sith attack cracked the planetary crust, releasing acidic vapor into the atmosphere, which means only specifically modified and protected ships and personnel currently are allowed on the planet.

THREE MORE PLANETS SECEDE FROM REPUBLIC

CORUSCANT — The Senate was troubled today by news that three more Outer Rim worlds have announced their intentions to secede from the Galactic Republic.  Only one, Saleucami, has openly declared its support for the Sith; a statement from the Saleucami Prime Minister said that he does not believe the Republic has the military ability to survive another war.  The other two, Baros and Nalondir, each stated that their infrastructure is presently too badly damaged to contribute to the Republic war effort.  Baros' trade exports have suffered in recent months due to its proximity to colonies belonging to former Mandalorian troops, and Nalondir was attacked early in the Mandalorian Wars due to its proximity to Taris.  The Republic has dispatched diplomatic envoys to each of the three planets in hopes of bringing the three planets back into the Republic fold.

MAJOR EXCHANGE FIGURE ARRESTED IN STING

TARIS — Batorine Exports chief officer Ganar was arrested on Taris as the result of a year-long wiretapping operation into the intergalactic criminal syndicate known as the Exchange.  Ganar was believed to be one of the top lieutenants in the organization, and according to Republic Bureau of Investigation documents released today, Ganar had his hands in money laundering, racketeering, and blackmail, among other crimes, through a variety of dummy businesses and organizations, and was believed to be an associate of suspected Exchange underboss Davik Kang.  At the press conference, Sullustan chief investigator Lt. Sian Aarb said, "We've taken a major step today to making the streets of Taris safe once again, but as long as Davik Kang is still on Taris, this investigation remains ongoing."  Kang, a well-known galactic investor, has long been suspected of being connected to the Exchange, though no convicting evidence has ever been produced.  Kang had no comment.

NEWS IN BRIEF

•Hutt Philosopher to Speak at University of Coruscant

•Dactillion Removed from Endangered Species List

•Jawa Wins Third Straight Podracing Open on Mon Gazza

•Czerka Corporation Stock on Downward Spiral

•Senator Lis Trup of Dorin Retires, Citing Health Issues