It was a beautiful day on Onderon. The sun was shining, a chorus of melodic birdsong drifted through trees swaying in the breeze, and large cotton-topped clouds floated lazily in the sky. Mid-morning beams of sunlight radiated warmth and energy, stirring the populace from their slumber to the streets.
Cassian stood behind a podium in front of the Royal Palace. Reporters and journalists, cameras and datapads in hand, congregated at the bottom of the steps leading to the palace. A wall of Royal Guards hovered in front of them to serve as security, with King Hakan and his two oldest children, Prince Weylin and Princess Reyna standing tall beside a stone column.
"Last night Onderon's special forces company Delta Team successfully carried out a strategic military attack on the Sith Academy located on Dromund Kaas," Cassian began, blue eyes never straying from his audience. "Working in conjunction with IIA agents, Delta Team silently and tactfully placed proton bombs throughout the solider training facility, utterly destroying the facility and killing several high-ranking Sith instructors gathered on the top floor."
The Zeltron paused, allowing his words to sink in before he continued. "This strike was the result of months of careful planning and dutiful coordination between Delta Team and IIA agents, with the attack purposely synchronized on a day the students were away. We're pleased to inform you that no students were present when the bombs were detonated, and there were zero student or civilian casualties."
"This was a strategic military attack, not an attack on the citizens of Dromund Kaas or the underage children that swear their allegiance to the Sith. The Free Worlds Alliance does not rage war against citizens of the Sith Empire who are not so different than us." Cassian held his head high. "This is not a war on citizens but on terror, the terror that the Sith Empire has imposed upon citizens of the free worlds for too long."
"The Free Worlds Alliance never wanted to go to war, but the Sith have given us no choice and offer no alternatives other than what they know to be impossible," he frowned, shoulders almost unintelligibly dropping. "Onderon can no longer and will no longer sit on the sidelines and watch free worlds fall into the hands of a government that cares nothing for our citizens, bombing planets like Firrerre and Kashyyyk on a whim and without provocation."
Golden and red flags stirred in the wind behind the podium, the crest of Onderon's Royal Family visible on each. "Onderon owes a debt of gratitude to the men and women of Delta Team and the IIA who risked their lives not only yesterday but every day to keep our borders safe. Onderon will welcome them home with honor, as the heroes they are and deserve to be recognized as.
"The attack on the Sith Academy on Dromund Kaas was only the beginning. Onderon stands firmly against the Sith Empire and against any terrorist than threatens the lives and wellbeing of our citizens."
With that, the Zeltron turned, ignoring the flurry of questions reporters hurled his way as he disappeared behind the large, ornate doors of the palace along with the rest of the royal family.