HoloNet News War in the South! ISC begins aggressive campaign against Sith!

[The Gatekeeper]

Open to reactions only

HOLONET NEWS​

Over multiple news channels across the galaxy, holoscreens and personal radios came to life with news of the galaxy's latest war among the stars. The Sith had struck at the ISC planet of Corellia and faced stiff resistance that ended in their withdrawal from the system. Now the Consortium has rallied its forces for a bold, multi-pronged counter-offensive against entrenched Sith territories in the galactic south.

"Good morning, afternoon, and evening loyal viewers. The latest from independent sources and ISC officials suggests all those years of staunch neutrality from the relatively new government wasn't in vain. Three full war fleets launched from a half-dozen Consortium worlds and are now engaging Sith and native forces above Bespin, Eriadu, and Sluis Van." The Twi'lek reporter adjusted his tie and leaned against his desk, looking straight into the camera with a serious expression.

"According to incoming accounts, the fighting is brutal on all sides." Snippets of curated footage popped up on the right side of the screen, showing action picked up from independent scouts and military reporters.

"The fleet action around Sluis Van's defensive battlestations is one of the largest and deadliest naval engagements the galaxy's seen since the Clone Wars." A probe droid at the edge of the fighting displays an image of just one small section of Sluis Van's defensive emplacements. Sith ships and a local defensive battlestation are trading heavy fire with ISC craft, fighter craft swarming between the two sides.

Fighting in the urban trenches of Eriadu is punctuated by thunder in the sky as both fleets fight for aerial superiority. On the ground, a military reporter shows the invasion from the ISC side. Droid infantry advance and fire before their section is wiped out by the sudden arrival of a Sith urban assault vehicle. In turn, the vehicle is struck by an explosive, and the feed cuts out.

Bespin's infamous Cloud City has been blockaded. Naval skirmishes and small-scale squad actions are sp far the only forms of battle. Reports suggest neither side will risk detonating the station or igniting the planet's atmosphere of vital tibanna gas. Walls of ships line the sky, circumstances forcing primarily dogfights and skirmishes. Transports from both sides try to get pats and land forces on Cloud City itself, infantry groups fighting in the city streets.

The reporter's face became grim and somber, shaking his head slightly. "How will this clash of military superpowers turn out? Who will win in the end, and what will the galaxy look like afterward? Tune it to our channel's emergency war updates to find out."

​

“Ladies and gentlemen! Reports are coming in that both Bespin and Sluis Van have now been declared free of Imperial rule! ISC forces were able to repel the Imperial occupation, dealing a devastating blow to the Empire. Eriadu, however, was successfully defended by the Sith and remains Imperial. This concludes the first theater in ISC’s offensive campaign which is expected to continue without delay as promised by President Thorne!”

This had been, perhaps, the first time the Empire had suffered catastrophic losses. The planets that were lost reclaimed their prior neutrality. The ISC did not seek to occupy the liberated planets, leaving them independent and empowered to elect their own leadership. While this may have helped in some instances, in others it only leaves chaos.

There is little doubt the Sith will strike back, but for now the Empire is reeling from heavy losses.

​

FLASHPOINT: Southern Territories
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Following ISC and Sith forces clashing in the southern Imperial territories, that entire swath of space is now neutral as a result. Whether this is due to loose control or simple neglect is up for debate, but the reality is that the southern territories have become a massive, ongoing battlefield for skirmishes, duels, and subterfuge.

Within the southern territories and particularly on Eriadu, Bespin, and Sluis Van, players are encouraged to write their side of the conflicts. Whether this is during the fighting itself or after the main military victories is up to you!

 

[Victoria]

Victoria sat in front of a mirror as a staff member completed the final touches on her face and wardrobe. There had been a tremendous pushback in the Galactic Senate as of late, continuous passes given to the Sith Empire despite all that they had done. The skillful efforts of the Sith diplomats had secured their inclusion in the body and prevented any motion against their actions. Despite the staunch insistence by the more centrist members that their neutrality would be upheld by the might of their fleets and ink on paper, recent events had proven this to be naught but fantasy.

As one of their few vocal critics within the chambers, it wasn't too difficult for her to secure a coveted spot in the media coverage of the now ballooning conflict between the ISC and the Sith. She hoped that with the recent developments highlighting the dangers of ignoring the empire, similar voices would be heard again. (@Sreeya) At their signal, Victoria approached the spot she was due to stand in for the live holo call and give a short speech. She didn't know how far or wide it would be received, but honestly, there was only one man that she really hoped would listen.

With a deep breath and a light flickering to show that they were live, she began in earnest.

"Citizens of the galaxy, my name is Senator Victoria Winterblaze of Gannaria. The horrific scenes we have seen from Corellia, Eriadu, Bespin, and Sluis Van are only the beginning of a long and terrible war between the two largest powers in the galaxy. This war will not just be fought far away, on some distant worlds but it will seep through and touch the lives of each and every one of you in some way."

Victoria took a short pause to emphasize the point and to catch her breath before continuing.

"The unprovoked Sith invasion of Corellia failed, for a large part due to the preparation of the ISC and the dedication of its service members who gave their lives in defense of the world. The Jedi too, I'm told, was present during the battle to their credit. It is completely naive and foolhardy to expect that the Empire, with its nose bloodied and after these most recent losses will not attempt to strike back with a vengeance."

And now for the personal pitch.

"I speak now directly to Supreme Chancellor Xerxes, of the New Republic. (@Braden) The Sith have revealed their hand and shown how willing they are to use their might against an equal, much less the other states within the Galactic Senate. One against the other in a titanic struggle that could leave trillions dead or displaced if the war wages on with no end in sight. For years you have worked tirelessly to maintain the status quo and maintain peace within the republic."

"These efforts have not been in vain, but now a new choice has been forced upon you by the Empire. To sit back and watch risks the NR becoming the next target of the warmongering empire, as it seeks to stretch its banners across the galaxy. To join the fray places your citizens in harm's way, as all wars do. But who will come to your aid, in your time of need if the NR refuses to lend the same assistance to their neighbor in theirs?"

"I know not if the ISC will request your assistance themselves but it is my hope that the NR takes a stand with their senate brethren and in doing so, secures the lasting peace that you have fought to keep."

"It is imperative that the Sith be defeated and soundly, but to avoid leaving this to chance requires your military deployment against the Sith in conjunction with the ISC. To that end, I also call upon all members of the Galactic Senate to make a similar commitment to the best of their ability. Alone we are waiting to be snuffed out one by one, but together, there is hope."

"Thank you, I will take no questions."

@Braden @Sreeya

 

[The Storyteller]

Across New Republic Space, news stations big and small receive a small information packet from the Office of the Supreme Chancellor. The image of the flag of the New Republic flying high and strong in the wind. With a simple message, asked to be broadcast across Republic Space.

“The Supreme Chancellor will make an Important Announcement regarding the future of the New Republic and the ongoing war between the Independent Systems Consortium and the Sith Empire, this evening, 6pm Coruscant Senate Standard Time. We ask all available businesses to allow their staff to view this important message on their Personal Holo’s or at a communal screen.”

 

[Alexandria Voran]

She gently set the datapad on her desk. The stars around Brighthome winking out her window. Alex couldn’t help letting her eyes drift back to the messages. A field report from Zathria regarding one Ezra Thorne. Unconsciously, she picked up the device and scanned the report one last time. She pushed her hair back. Ezra was Force sensitive…powerful by Zathria’s account…if predictably entitled. The Justiciar was working tirelessly to bring him into the fold, going as far as to receive Jaikus’ permission.

They took all commers. She preached this endlessly but where Zathria saw a potential Jedi…Alex gazed on a political nightmare. She could already see the headlines. Son of President Thorne killed in reckless Jedi mission…Jedi to blame for death of politician’s child? Yet, Alex would not turn him away. The boy was more than a political tool. He would need guidance to harness his powers. They would simply be careful. Extraordinarily careful.

A ripple in the Force broke her concentration. A moment later her com cracked to life. “Grandmaster, turn on the holonews.” She flicked her wrist and the holonews splashed across the wall. Images of war greeted her. Alex’s face grew hard. Her greatest concerns finally coming to pass. The Sith had grown tired with the Free Worlds. First, they sacked Corellia and now they turned their attention to the ISC. The war would reach a scale she had desperately fought to avoid. The Grandmaster felt no satisfaction in being proven right. Only sorrow at the lives that would be lost. She grabbed her datapad. “Zathria…you keep that boy safe.” Her hands flying to her coms. “Contact President Thorne. Tell him he need only tell us where, and we will be by his side. We will send what we can to Eriadu.” Finally, she composed her face, marching to the holocam.

“The Sith have shown us who they are. They will stop at nothing until their conquest is complete. Peace treaties mean nothing. Neutrality means nothing. We must unite to face our new reality. It is our only hope. As ever, we will fight until we can fight no more. I ask…no implore…the governments of the galaxy do the same…for failure means destruction.” Alex swept from her office. There was work to do.

@Sreeya @Phoenix

 

[Celeste Stythani]

So Victoria (@Xorism), the Senator of Gannaria, was now reaching out to the New Republic? To the Chancellor himself even...how very very interesting. Celeste followed her broadcast from the Palace on Rattatak, no one but her adjutant in the room with her. A scoff was the first reaction that followed, before she slowly shook her head. So President Thorne (@Sreeya) was biting back now...She had last seen the man on their hike on Thyferra. The day that had literally changed everything. Sure, the Empire had struck first and Celeste still wasn't fully convinced whether Corellia was the most clever move, but now things were getting really interesting. With the two major forces at war, Victoria might have a point. The NR and FWA potentially wouldn't stay focused on their little background quarrel after all...

Maybe it was time to do a little traveling. Vic would surely let an old friend in, wouldn't she? "Ready my ship" she curtly instructed her aide. "But my Lady, is it wise to attempt reaching out to a senator of the Alliance?". Her light blue gaze tainted by the several golden flecks flicked over to the man, her expression dangerous, yet ice cold. "I need to pay the dear senator and old friend of mine a visit. After all, I owe her an explanation for my disappearance". Her voice was pure vitriol as her lips curled into the slightest smirk. Obviously, that wasn't the reason. She only watched him bow and leave before she pulled out her datapad and made some arrangements.

 

[Darth Tempest]

Seated within her palace on Thule, Vahliri watched the chaos that unfolded across the HoloNet. From a multitude of sources, she saw reports of the fighting in the south - and the absolutely embarrassing losses that the Empire was suffering at the hands of the ISC. It was testament to just how egregiously the Empress had underestimated their opponent, and the sheer strength at President Thorne’s disposal.

More irritatingly, though, Vahliri watched as Imperial Leadership effectively floundered in response - unable to elicit any kind of counteroffensive or response. It was utterly pathetic, and burned through what little patience the half-Annfyn had. While her own powerbase had been relatively unscathed, she wasn’t about to wait for the ISC to show up at her doorstep - so deep into Imperial territory - before she acted.

Vahliri tapped her fingernails against the armrests of her throne impatiently, glancing over the latest intelligence. With a shape exhale through her nostrils, the half-Annfyn rose from her obsidian seat - flagging down a nearby Vizier with a wave of her hand. “Open an encrypted channel and get both Councilor’s Draugr and Trelain on the line - separately.” She had matters to discuss with each, that didn’t necessarily need to involve the other. “And a message to Lieutenant Val Vathra, at nearest convenience.” The ISB agent had made a name for herself recently, and the half-Annfyn had a plan that would involve the woman and a select few others.

She began to descend the dias, hands neatly folding against the small of her back. Her eyes flicked to the next advisor. “Prepare convoys to both Kril’Dor and Abafar - and alert the local Moff’s of my imminent arrival.”

“Yes, Your Grace.” Both men responded with a dip of their heads.

@Malon @Phoenix @Scoobert