HoloNet News BREAKING! The Galaxy Mourns Supreme Chancellor Ro

[The Storyteller]

BREAKING NEWS!

Moments ago, the news broke that Supreme Chancellor Emil Ro of the New Republic has been murdered in what appears to be an assassination. The body of the Chancellor was first spotted by speeders passing by 500 Republica—a popular residential building for politicians on Coruscant—who noticed a body lying limp on one of the building's many balconies. The Republic branch of the Sector Rangers has opened an investigation into the Chancellor's death but have no details as to how he was shot or why just yet.

The Chancellor was a polarizing figure in galactic politics, rising to power as a mere freshman senator from the industrial world of Balmorra. A vote-of-no confidence ousted Ro's successor and propelled the young politician to the galactic stage. As Chancellor, he revived the decrepit Republic military and navy, but caught heat for his controversial decision to invade Sith-held Denon, ordering an orbital bombardment of the system's Sith bases earning him condemnation from several members of the Galactic Senate. He was also a popular figure in pop culture, with tabloids frenzying over reports of romances with Jedi Master Alexandria Voran, President Emryc Thorne, and his longtime rival Senator Jin Vaisra of Fondor. None of these reports could be confirmed.

"The Chancellor was a good man who strongly believed in the New Republic and the work of his colleagues in the Galactic Senate," a spokesperson from the Chancellor's Office said when pressed for a comment. "He worked tirelessly to forge a more peaceful galaxy. His light will be missed in a galaxy that is increasingly becoming darker and more violent."

The Chancellor's assassination comes at a time of increased violence in the galaxy. The recent attacks on Mon Cala, by Za Fenn, and Lothal, by the Mandalorians, are yet other incidents that mar this week of increasing bloodshed. It is hard to know what the Chancellor might have said about these crisis, but we here at the HoloNet News will continue to keep you appraised of new developments in these events and in the investigation of the Chancellor's death.

 

[Jin Vaisra]

“Sir, you need to release a statement.”

The words shook Jin back into reality. He had been staring at the vase full of gardenias on his desk for the last hour, trying to process the news. Emil was dead. Chancellor Ro, assassinated. The New Republic had been scrambling to get ahold of his successor, all the while dealing with the media fallout on top of an investigation into who’d been responsible. It was a catastrophe. A political nightmare. Jin didn’t have time to sit and idly do nothing, he needed to react, and publicly.

“Sorry,” he said. “Got distracted.” He paused for a moment, sparing a glance at the gardenias again, before he gave himself an internal shake, jolting his mind back into place. “Ah, yes—a statement. Tell them Fondor offers its deepest condolences, both to Balmorra and the Chancellor’s loved ones. Tell them that we are still the Republic, and that we can weather this storm together, and that…” The words trailed away, lost to him. “I don’t know. Just feed them something good, okay?”

“Yes, of course. Right away.” Venka bowed, clutching her tablet and already readying a speech. But before she could leave, she turned to him, looking more sincere than ever. “Jin,” she said. “Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

He snorted and waved a hand as if he could swat words from the air. “Don’t be stupid. Of course I'm okay. This is hardly the worst news I’ve received in the last week.”

“I see,” she said. “Well, if there’s anything else you need, I’m here.” Venka nodded once, then quietly exited the room, her footsteps fading out around the corner. Gone.

Jin couldn’t help it. As he sat there, staring at the gardenias, memories flooded his vision. Like Indupar, when he and Emil had danced through the night, whispering insults and veiled threats into each other’s ears like squabbling children. Or Emil's smile, that nasty grin he always wore every time he said something remotely clever, as if it had taken him the whole day to think it up. He thought of the ugly mop on his head, his wrinkled clothes, the stink of wine and cheap cologne on his collar. Why?

Jin's right eye twitched. In a sudden fit of anger, he swept an arm across his desk and threw aside the vase of flowers. Porcelain shattered against the wall. “Fucking idiot,” he snarled, then he leaned back into his seat, pressing a hand to his face, pinching the bridge of his nose, and pretended not to care.

 

[Sibyl Lassiter]

It was another normal day of work for Sibyl. She was in the office of her estate, calmly reading important documents for the next Senate session. Everything was happening well today. Tristodd had left these papers prepared and organized before he went to Thyferra, with her only needing to read it. If she finished it soon, the Governor would be able to relax during the rest of the day.

Then the calm atmosphere of her office was disturbed by the arrival of Dongwa, her protocol droid. "My Lady, a tragedy happened!" even with him not being organic and incapable of having feelings, Sibyl needed to admit that he seemed to be in panic. "It's terrible! Chancellor Ro was assassinated on Coruscant."

She stared at the droid, several thoughts crossing her mind, and none of them showed signals of sympathy for the dead. "Well, how sad. I'll send my condolences for the Republic later." then she remembered how Jin must be feeling right now. "I'll also call Senator Vaisra. He must be suffering from the death of his dog. Maybe I'll even offer to lend my mourning dress to him!" Sibyl laughed with this thought.

"Now, go Dongwa! I have more important things to do than to lament the death of an imbecile like Ro." she said, gesturing for the droid to go away. After Dongwa left the room, Sibyl continued to read the documents. The New Republic was probably going to enter in chaos after Ro's death. She wondered how many planets would want to join the ISC now. Perhaps Emil was more useful on his death than when he was alive.

 

[Alexandria Voran]

She felt it before the news broke. Despite everything, a tendril of connection remained between Alex and Emil. She had been the one to reveal his gifts. Together they had reforged an ancient alliance. Whatever happened during the Senate was not enough to sever that bond. Alex had hoped, prayed, they would find a way to repair what was broken. Now…she would never get the chance.

The news came in waves across the holonet. Alex could not rebuff the sorrow gnawing at her heart. She let the emotion linger, sitting in her belly like a stone. Violence grew all around them and still she pushed for peace. What a fool you’ve been Alex. The Grandmaster took a deep breath. She sat in the Council Chambers above the Yavin Temple. The recorder flicked on.

“Chancellor Ro was a friend, and the galaxy is worse without him. His heart beat furiously for a free galaxy. We stood with him in life, and we will in death…for no one is ever truly gone…they are always with us.” Alex’s eyes shone with tears. Real tears. She let the sadness build in her voice. “We have all lost too many to senseless violence. The Chancellor dedicated himself to ending that violence. In his memory, we should all strive to do that same.” Alex looked into her hands and then up. “The Order continues to stand with the Republic and we offer all aid in bringing the Chancellor’s murder to justice.” She clicked the recording off and leaned back. Her message was carried across the holonet.

Alex sighed and slumped in her chair. Another loss. Another gone in a never ending stream.

 

[Narpoo]

He had never met 'Chancellor Ro', but like many of the diminutive inhabitants of Endor, Narpoo had heard of the 'Big Chieftan' of the New Republic. Huddled, with several others of his village, around a small vid-screen affixed to the side of one of Endors offworlder trading posts, Endors 'Senate Representative' (as he had now become) bowed his head respectfully as the news broke.

"He worked tirelessly to forge a more peaceful galaxy. His light will be missed in a galaxy that is increasingly becoming darker and more violent."

Slowly, Narpoo raised his spear into the air with his right paw, as others did likewise around him "Wakka eema dan kna naa, Emil Ro." he announced, before lowing his spear, and taking a small black feather from his knapsack, which, like the others, he gently placed beneath the vid screen, a small mark of respect, from an equally as small part of the Galaxy, for a man known even on Endor, as one worthy of respect.

 

[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl's first reaction was shock; despite his advanced age, it never failed to surprise him when he outlived another political opponent. While his recent attitude towards the Chancellor had been nothing short of cold due to the Chancellor's decision to side with the ISC and remove the Jedi from the Galactic Senate, even the notoriously stubborn Wookiee had to admit that the man's passing was cause for a public display of grief.

The Senator's first call was to his press office, to release a statement concerning the Chancellor's untimely death. It contained all the usual language that lent credibility to the claim that someone like Emil was much more beloved after they died than while they lived, and wholeheartedly expressed Kashyyyk's support as the New Republic grieved the loss of their Chancellor.

Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl's second call was to Prime Minister Belasi's office. It didn't take a genius to see a trend developing here- with Emryc Thorn kidnapped and Emil murdered, suddenly the Wookiee found himself concerned for the safety of his own Prime Minister. He would never admit it, but the woman had impressed him during her time in office. "Have you thought to increase your security?" he asked, concern in his tone. "Your safety is important."

@lizziie

 

[Vako Yizok]

The Supreme Chancellor was dead and the entire galaxy was now in mourning. That was what the breaker holo-net story said that came across the Toydarians feed. It was a deeply sorrowful report full of images and recordings of great deeds and people giving fond testimony to the now deceased Chancellor. And to make it all that much more intense they kept speculating on the perpetrator. The assassin that committed such a heinous act.

Vako twitched his wings, and took a sip of zilian spice juice, feeling the energy overcome him as he pondered on the death of the Supreme Chancellor.

But of all thoughts in his mind he couldn't help but dwell on one.

"What the vekk is a Supreme Chancellor?"

He verbalized it aloud wondering if it would make more sense. He knew that the Republic was a republic, he knew they had senators and rich people, and were as hypocritical as anyone. But he knew almost nothing of the "Galactic Politics" of the "Galactic Republic."

They didn't exist him on the Rim, the places where real problems were. All he knew was that his feed was being interrupted.

But if it was an interruption that loud he knew there was money to be made in the shifting. People had use for guns in times of chaos, and people got loose with what was really important in such times.

And Vako would be sure to make use of all that chaos to line the pockets of those that did not mind hurting people for profit.

"Strap in boys!" Vako said motioning control of the ship that hauled his hired guns. "We're headin' to the Core to get our respects."

Vako smiled as the hurdled into hyperspace towards the new arising lucrative opportunities.