HoloNet News Ravaging of Taanab

[Alexander Xerxes]

Although the New Republic Military was not as large or advanced as either the Sith Empire or the Independent Systems Consortium it was still mighty and not to be trifled with. The mighty Starhawk III Battleships, advanced Nebulon-D Frigates and versatile Tapani Carriers were the backbone of the New Republic 5th Fleet. But today another ship joined the fray, a single Bellator Class Dreadnought ‘Freedom’ taken from the depths of the Deep Core, this secret weapon of the New Republic was ready to be unleashed upon the enemies of Peace.

Above the planet of Taanab the full might of the 5th Fleet, the strongest of the New Republic Navy's roaming task forces appeared from Hyperspace without warning. Whatever messages or hails that were sent towards the fleet were ignored, the Republic ships moving silently towards their allotted locations. Without a word or communication from anyone they began to unleash their batteries upon the surface of the planet.

Green and Red Plasma screeched across the sky as they slammed into the surface of the planet, destroying fields, flatting homes, burning forests, reducing every city on this side of the planet to rubble. Civilians were left to flee for their lives, trying anyway possible to escape the Ravaging of Taanab.

Any ships left in the defence of Taanab would try valiantly to defend their home. But the surprise nature of the attack and the size and strength of the 5th Fleet and its mighty flagship meant that it was valiant but always destined to fail.

No commander stood upon the bridge of ‘Freedom’ able to stare down upon the burning planet beneath their feet. The Supreme Chancellor instead sat within his office, watching everything first hand, from the thousands of eyes which the 5th Fleet consisted of.

There was no comment from the Office of the Supreme Chancellor about this attack and if anyone reached out to the administration they would be met with silence, just like Taanab. Anyone who visited its buildings would find them barred, white eyed soldiers looking back at them.

 

[Victoria]

The very real feeling of betrayal etched a powerful wound deep down within Victoria. She had attempted to reach out to the Chancellor in the hopes of finding common ground, hoping to put their forces together against a common enemy that was perhaps the greatest threat to peace. And yet the Chancellor chose to unleash his military juggernaut against the alliance for some old grudge made long before her time.

Was it foolishness that made her blind to the possibility? A hope that the Sith had finally overextended themselves in a futile war of aggression that could be taken advantage of? It certainly wasn't the news she was expecting, now instead of a short war against the Sith it could potentially turn into a full-blown galactic war depending on how things shaped up.

"Put the request out to all our worlds, the alliance mobilizes for war." Victoria knew that a double front war would be impossible to win, the Sith were the real enemy but ignoring the NR attack against them would be impossible. There were two immediate things that came to mind, both were incredibly risky and bold, but times of war called for both. Either the alliance would die in a puff of smoke in a whimper or at last show some teeth where it could.

Victoria was fuming, her own staff taken by surprise by the next outburst. "I don't care how you do it, but keep it on the low and get me in contact with Basilisk. NOW!" (@Sreeya)

 

[Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl]

Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl hadn't expected the New Republic to attack Hanaab... but he'd been expecting to not expect something, so that didn't count. Why the Supreme Chancellor of the New Republic had settled on the Free World's Alliance as the ones most likely to "disrupt and destroy [the New Republic's] way of life" - when the FWA had been fighting a defensive war against the Sith for many years now- didn't make sense to the Wookiee. But such a massacre, with a larger loss of life than the Sith's eerily similar bombardment of Kashyyyk, could not be ignored.

"Citizens of the New Republic" Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl addressed the camera, knowing that his words were being broadcast to the whole galaxy. "Today, your Supreme Chancellor declared war on the Free World's Alliance. He did so not by attacking military targets, but by bombarding the world of Taanab; killing millions if not billions of innocent civilians in the process."

"This is not the first time that Xerxes has acted in a manner consistent with a power-hungry tyrant. He jailed one of his own Senators without trial. He broke ranks with the New Republic Senate in going to war without their approval. And he has lied to you, the people of the New Republic, by reneging on his campaign platform to secure peace for the New Republic, by carrying out a senseless and indefensible attack on Taanab."

"And so I ask; how much longer will you follow a leader who has repeatedly ignored the due processes of your government? The blood of millions is on his hands, and he has made it clear that he is unfit for the post that he has been elected to. For all his claims of speaking for the New Republic, I cannot believe that this is what you, the citizens of the New Republic, wanted. Do not let your so-called 'leader' claim to speak for you; not when his actions are the death of innocents."

As much as he needed to speak to the New Republic, however, Aezzairrfhowrrhudrrl knew that people within his own borders were looking for leadership, guidance, and strength. A few planets, such as Kashyyyk and Gannaria, had been embroiled in the war with the Sith, but by and large the FWA had enjoyed several months of peace in the wake of the ceasefire after Rusaan.

That peace had now evaporated.

"The Free World's Alliance's mutual defense clause has been triggered by this attack; until such time that the New Republic deposes of Xerxes and sues for peace, we will defend our planets and our people with lethal force, and we will bring Xerxes to justice for his murder. The innocent lives lost on Taanab will not be forgotten, or forsaken."

It was time to fight another war.

@Braden @Xorism

 

[Amira Din]

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[Samara Draven]

 

[Alexandria Voran]

“I need read outs from the fighting about Eriadu” A swarm of activity pulsed around the Grandmaster. Brighthome humming with activity. Alex’s gaze lingered on the holoprojections. Numbers pouring in from across the galaxy. Her vision went fuzzy. A strange pull in the back of her mind. What was that? Alex gripped her chest. Her heart thumping as death flooded into the Force. She steaded her feet, her mind reaching for the light. Steady. Steady. The wave of sudden destruction cut through her chest. “Turn on the holonews.” The channels switched and with it her entire world view. The Grandmaster could barely believe. If the Force had not confirmed the death, she almost wouldn’t believe it.

Commands cracked as she stood. “Send out a statement condemning the attack and calling for the Chancellor’s removal.” She had been right again. She had known the moment she met with Alexander in secret that he could not be trusted. And again, the Morellian Jedi took no pleasure in being proven correct. “I need to speak with President Thorne, Senator Aezz, and Senator Winters immediately. (@Sreeya @Xorism @SlagathorTheUnknown) ” Why? None of this made sense. Why would the Chancellor decide now to attack the Free Worlds. Something was very wrong.

“Call every Padawan home. Knights and Master may remain in the field. We will not abandon the ISC or the Free Worlds…but we cannot fight on this many fronts.” Alex itched to grab her lightsaber. To feel the hilt in her hand. “Summon the Council. I’ll meet them there. (@Logan @Apollyon)” She left the command center. Searching for answers in the Force. Alex frowned. The future was nothing but darkness.

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

Charlotte sat in her throne room...watching the live feed and drinking heavily. "Well fuck." What was she going to do now?