Star Wars

Republic Holonet News

uploaded 09.VII.2005
updated : 11.XI.2006
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CORE EDITION | 14:2:12
COUNTER-SLICER TEAM FORMED
SBI ARCOLOGY, CORUSCANT-SBI Director Armand Isard announced the formation of an
Intelligence Committee specially dedicated to the protection of government HoloN
et channels, and countering the efforts of Separatist slicers who have been tran
smitting CIS propaganda.
"The communications backbone of the Republic has become a favored target of the
Separatists," said Isard at a media conference yesterday. "Some attacks have bee
n outright destructive, but the insidious attempts to taint our channels with di
sinformation and viral data is just as dangerous."
The various Offices of Analysis scattered throughout the galaxy will begin assig
ning agents to the new Cryptanalysis Department, including the Central Office of
Analysis on Coruscant. Heading up the new Core department is Sub-Director Ilko
Deminar.
"Our recruitment methods for the crypt teams are aggressive and unprecedented, w
hich is indicative of the importance of the matter," said Isard.
While the department leaders will all be drawn from existing Intelligence agents
, they have been given clearance to recruit civilian and private sector data exp
erts. The candidate test is simple. A unique encrypted recruitment guide is tran
smitted to the potential hire. Details on the next step can be determined only b
y decrypting the guide.
"Our first A-list candidates have already been contacted. I am eagerly awaiting
the responses for our prospective lignyots," said Deminar, using the code-phrase
for the potential cryptanalysis agents.
"I'm not at liberty to say what the term lignyot identifies," said Deminar, joki
ng with reporters. "Perhaps figuring it out is the test to get my job."
CIS JAMMER PROTOTYPE DESTROYED
DORUM, BALAMAK-Transmission networks resumed functioning today in the Taldot sec
tor when Republic forces destroyed an experimental jamming platform employed by
the Separatists.
Communications had been disrupted for four standard days, following the arrival
of a Confederacy of Independent Systems flotilla over Balamak, an important food
-producing world in the Mid Rim. One Separatist vessel was a Trade Federation Dr
oid Control Ship with a modified transmission array to broadcast jamming signals
capable of disrupting a key HoloNet node.
A Republic task force, led by Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and Nanda-Ree Janoo engaged th
e flotilla with a starfighter attack. It was Kenobi's apprentice, Anakin Skywalk
er, who delivered the missile volley that destroyed the jamming craft. Victory i

s also being credited to Adar Tallon, the renowned starfighter tactician who pla
nned the attack.
REPUBLIC ARMY LIBERATES BASSADRO
AGAO, BASSADRO -- Jedi General Empatojayos Brand's twilight push against the Sep
aratists holed in the Agao Ranges has won the twelve-day Battle of Bassadro. Bra
nd led his armored battalion of clone troopers to the rain-slicked obsidian crag
s of Bassadro's dormant volcanic ranges that offered cover to the Separatist for
ces. Brand ordered concussive missile strikes against the rock formations, not o
nly destroying the Separatist's cover but also decimating the battle droid infan
try with the resulting razor-sharp shrapnel. The Separatist commander, Major Dom
b Treetor, a Skakoan, signed a treaty with Brand, surrendering Bassadro and its
mineral wealth back to the Republic fold.
CORE EDITION | 14:3:22
MINISTRY OF SCIENCE REVEALS BIO-WAR VACCINE
MINISCI ARCOLOGY, CORUSCANT-The recent scourge of biological weapons employed by
Separatist forces are no longer a threat, according to a report from the Republ
ic's Ministry of Science.
"Advancements in biological counter-agents have rendered the Separatist pathogen
s harmless," said Minister Glimmet Ledd, a member of the prestigious Luurian Gen
etic Enclave. "Data provided by the Jedi Knights have given us the key to unders
tanding how the Separatists build these microbes and how best to destroy them."
Many Gungan colonists were killed by the release of a biological weapon on OhmaD'un, a moon of Naboo. Jedi investigators were able to capture raw toxin samples
from the Separatist outpost of Queyta eight months ago. Since then, the Ministr
y of Science has been developing vaccines for the deadly weapon.
"Analysis of the underlying structure of these weapons suggest that they are all
built from the same principles," said Ledd. "By comparing our research of the t
rihexalon threat of a few years ago, we were able to formulate a successful vacc
ine."
Critics question whether the announcement of a cure will only prompt the Separat
ists to develop deadlier biological weapons. "Our scientists are ready to deal w
ith any advancements; in this case, it is imperative we announce to the people o
f the Republic that a preventative solution awaits," said Ledd.
The Ministry of Science and the Refugee Relief Movement are partnering to produc
e and distribute the vaccine to med-centers throughout the Republic. The report
indicates that a number of non-human species are especially susceptible to the S
eparatist toxins and are strongly encouraged to register with Republic health or
ganizations for immediate inoculation.
PALPATINE REWARDS JEDI EFFORTS
JEDI TEMPLE, CORUSCANT-Recognizing "the selfless valor in the protection of the
Republic and her worlds," Supreme Chancellor Palpatine recognized the honorable
deeds of Jedi Knight Avan Post and Jedi Master Shaak Ti today with a gift of a g
rove of ch'hala trees in a ceremony held at the Jedi Temple.
Avan Post of Chandrila was recognized posthumously; he perished last month in a
skirmish over Ando, during which he destroyed seven Techno Union Hardcell-class
vessels. Post had served in many battlefronts early in the conflict. Asran Heado
ws, Master Curator of the Galactic Museum on Coruscant announced the creation of

a special exhibit honoring the fallen Jedi by year's end.

"Ch'hala trees are among my favorite specimens of the Republic's gardens. They a
re rigidly implacable yet sensitive to even the slightest disturbance, much like
our revered friends in the Jedi Temple. I humbly ask that you accept these toke
ns of appreciation," said Palpatine.
"I am honored to receive this distinction in service to the Republic. Nonetheles
s, Jedi eschew possessions, and therefore I donate this gift to the Jedi Temple.
" said Ti. Her actions on Geonosis, Centares, and Dagu were cited by Palpatine i
n a list of notable accomplishments by the Togruta Jedi Master.
Ti donated the grove of four dozen infant purple-green trees to the Jedi Council
. The spectacular ch'hala trees have pressure-sensitive pigmentation in their ba
rk that allows them to change hue and pattern when exposed to sound.
"We accept this recognition with gratitude, though it is our duty to protect the
Republic," said Jedi Master Mace Windu. The Jedi Master then promised the infan
t grove would find prominent placement within the Jedi Temple.
CORE EDITION | 14:4:14
SEPARATISTS LEAVE ATRAKEN IN RUINS
KATTELLYN CITY, ATRAKEN-The Refugee Relief Movement has declared the planet Atra
ken - the site of a prolonged battle between Republic and Separatist forces - an
"unsalvageable disaster" unfit for humanoid habitation.
The world, once a rich source of doonium, became a battleground when CIS protect
ionist forces refused to relinquish control of the mining operation there. Entre
nched in the planet's crust, the Separatists unleashed biochemical agents to det
er the Republic's clone troopers. This resulted in thousands of civilian casualt
ies as the toxins seeped into much of the planet's water tables and ecosystems.
As one of the early fronts of the current conflict,
warfare for almost a year now. Its distant location
ne hampered Republic resupply efforts for the clone
t the recent push of Operation Katabatic has turned
onquering of the Separatist droid armies.

Atraken has been plagued by

from the Corellian Trade Spi
troopers stationed there, bu
the tide, allowing for the c

Though a tactical victory in denying the Separatists access to the valuable ship
building ore, the Battle of Atraken has spelled tragedy for the one million inha
bitants of the colony world. An estimated 90 percent of the planet's population
has been poisoned, displaced, or killed in the fighting. Those who can afford to
have fled to neighboring worlds, while others are believed to have sought refug
e on Trilos, the only Atraken moon with a breathable atmosphere.
"Sadly, Atraken will never be rebuilt. But the lives of those families torn apar
t by the brutality of war can still be salvaged," said Kaysil Verwood, RRM Spoke
sbeing.
RRM transport craft are currently awaiting the clearing of an orbital minefield
to examine refugee settlements on the Trilos moon.
SECTOR RANGERS TO CRACK DOWN ON RATION FRAUD
JUDICIAL ARCOLOGY, CORUSCANT-The Republic Office of Criminal Investigation has t
asked the Sector Rangers with rooting out ration fraud and enforcing the Victory
Rationing Orders and Regulation Plan.

When the war began a year ago, the General Ministry announced the VRORP to help
preserve vital materiel for the war effort and to slow spiraling inflation of th
e Republic credit standard. One of the first side effects was a sudden surge in
counterfeiting in relation to starship fuel authorization markers. The ration pl
an limits the amount of fuel and power replenishment available to private craft.
'There are those unscrupulous individuals who are attempting to take advantage o
f a distracted Republic," said Price Administrator Kachariss Weng. "We will not
turn a blind eye to this. Every erg of energy illegally obtained may as well hav
e been handed over to charge the weapons Count Dooku has pointed at us."
The fuel authorization markers come in six different classes. The most popular o
nes to be counterfeited are the T- and E-markers, permits set aside for authoriz
ed transport and emergency vessels. Unlicensed freighter operators, smugglers, a
nd private craft have been found sporting fake markers. Weng provided no comment
when asked whether she thought organized crime was behind the counterfeiting.
With the Jedi Order engaged in the fighting of the war, policing and enforcing r
ation regulations has fallen to the Sector Rangers. Use of counterfeit markers i
s a Class Three Infraction, carrying with it immediate impoundment of a vessel,
a 5,000-credit fine, up to two years imprisonment, and possible loss of business
or flight certification.
CORE EDITION | 14:7:02
WAR ON JABIIM "INEVITABLE"
JELWICK, HANDOOINE-Despite last-hour negotiations spearheaded by the Alderaanian
Diplomatic Corps, Republic officials have described a war on Jabiim as "inevita
ble." A sparsely inhabited planet in the neighboring Handooine system has become
a Republic staging area for a military engagement likely to start within the st
andard month.
"We have attempted a diplomatic solution, but the natives of Jabiim do not seem
open to peaceful alternatives," Vice Chair Mas Amedda said during an abbreviated
Senate session this morning. Citing issues of security, Amedda refused further
comment on what he described as a "still-fluid situation." Supreme Chancellor Pa
lpatine was unavailable for comment.
Jabiim has become a political and military hotspot since the majority government
chose to side with the Separatists. Jabiimite Spokesbeing Alto Stratus has rebu
ffed entreaties from the Republic government, despite a vocal loyalist contingen
t in the Jabiim Congress.
"The Republic is not to be trusted," said Stratus, repeating his often-heard rhe
toric in the Caucus Chambers. 'They make noises about peaceful resolutions, but
only once their army is amassed a short hyper-space jump away. We can feel the w
eight of those soldiers and their weapons behind every creaky promise the Republ
ic chooses to insult us with."
Republic intelligence reports reveal that Separatists have been supplying the Ja
biim ruling government with provisions, weapons, and credits to destroy the voca
l loyalists. Republic initiatives have focused on the extradition of the loyalis
ts and the mineral resources that many of them own.
"We cannot let these assets fall into the hands of the enemy," said Senator Orn
Free Taa (Ryloth). "Stratus, this silver-tongued holocam-favorite, would have us
believe it's the will of his people to secede, but he's being played by the Sep
aratists to grab more ore to build their forces. Jabiim has made its choice, but
it's a wrong choice, and we will stop at nothing to correct it."

The Jabiim campaign will not be easy, for the world is perpetually deluged by st
orms that will complicate any surface-based initiatives. The world experiences l
ess than five days per standard year without precipitation, and the muddy surfac
es are unstable and constantly shifting. Visibility for infantry units would be
hampered, and air support is nearly impossible due to electrically charged atmos
pheric disturbances.
"A war on Jabiim would be a dirty war in which our forces would have to battle w
ith the elements as well as the droid armies of the Confederacy," Senator Bail O
rgana (Alderaan) told reporters. "There will be Republic casualties, I'm afraid,
and it is my fervent hope that such a costly campaign can be avoided."
On Handooine, the amassed fighting forces wait patiently for the order to strike
. With the arrival of the Dominance and its troops, an entire corps awaits deplo
yment to Jabiim. Given the inhospitable climate, much Of the vehicular support o
f the Jabiim initiative consists of walker vehicles. Hundreds of AT-XTs, AT-TEs,
and AT-AT walkers are being carefully prepared and maintained for deployment at
a moment's notice.
The Jedi Council has not announced which generals will be assigned to the campai
gn.
CORE EDITION | 14:9:01
SEPARATISTS ATTACK SHELTER BASE
DOZENS KILLED; GENERAL KENOBI MISSING
SHELTER BASE, JABIIM-A sudden attack by Separatist-backed local forces ravaged t
he Republic's Shelter Base in the second week of open hostilities on the Outer R
im world of Jabiim, resulting in dozens of casualties and the possible loss of t
heater commander General Obi-Wan Kenobi.
The attack comes after a string of successful Republic pushes that took three Se
paratist defensive positions-Camp Aurek, Point Down, and Outpost Shear. These ad
vancements weakened Shelter Base's defenses, as Republic troops were moved farth
er from headquarters to secure the outlying Jabiimite posts.
Intelligence reports failed to detect the Confederacy military equipment, and up
until the attack, no hard evidence of a Confederacy presence had been found. Th
e Jabiimite Separatists were employing native soldiers and equipment. Throughout
the Jabiim engagement, long-range orbital scanning has been hampered by atmosph
eric disturbances, resulting in incomplete intelligence.
Under the cover of a night storm, Confederacy hailfire droids unleashed volleys
of tanksmasher missiles into the compound. The initial assault claimed 32 clones
, all from the 43rd "Killer-Aiwha" Battalion, and there are three confirmed Jedi
deaths: Dalnus Cam, Sana-Jis llowa, and Rallcema Bylissura.
Atmospheric disturbances prevented the use of gunship air support, and Jabiim's
muddy surfaces hampered the effectiveness of the Republic AT-ATs, AT-TEs and oth
er armor.
Partial holographic feeds have confirmed that Alto Stratus, the local Separatist
leader, personally led the attack. In addition to battle droid infantry, Stratu
s led an undisclosed number of elite Nimbus soldiers into the assault.
These same feeds have confirmed General Kenobi's presence during the attack, but
contact with Jabiim has been lost, and Kenobi has yet to check in as per schedu

le. The Jedi Council has refrained from comment regarding speculation that the t
heater commander might be among the dead.
As of this report, the fighting continues at Shelter Base. Contact has currently
been lost with HNN field correspondent Angus Laride and Jabiimite Loyalist Fron
t spokesbeing Orliss Gillmunn. Stay tuned to this feed for live updates.
MASTER WINDU LIBERATES SKOR II
METROBIG CITY, SKOR II-King Ebareebaveebeedee of the Squib Polyanarchy has procl
aimed Jedi Master Mace Windu an honorary "Big Time Hero of Beyond-Squib Elitenes
s" today, and unveiled a bronzium statue of the Jedi Master to a crowd of apprec
iative citizenry.
Windu led a contingent of clone troopers in liberating the Metrobig Interplaneta
ry Blastport from an occupational force of Confederacy battle droid infantry. Th
e Separatists had planned on using Skor II as a launch-point for an operation th
at would have littered the outer Rimma Trade Route with proximity mines.
"His Mace Windship will forever haunt Squibbish poems and jingles, and future fu
zzlings will hear of the valiant Knight with his koovy purplish blade," declared
the King.
Mace Windu has since left Skor II and was unavailable for the ceremony. A clone
trooper peacekeeping force has remained behind to monitor Separatist activity. T
he Jedi Council offered no comment on the ceremony
CORE EDITION | 14:9:04
REPUBLIC YOUTHS HOLD PATRIOT PARADE
MONUMENT PLAZA, CORUSCANT-In a display of pageantry and patriotism, over 6,000 y
oung Republic loyalists marched from the Jrade-Daders Concourse to the newly reo
pened Monument Plaza, celebrating Republic victories in the ongoing war and the
reopening of the historic landmark.
The patriots, aged between 13 and 17 standard years, were members of SAGroup, th
e youth chapter of the increasingly popular Commission for the Protection of the
Republic (COMPOR). Consisting of color guards of various ranks, the young volun
teers marched in precise military order, carrying banners of the Republic loyali
st worlds.
Monument Plaza, the public concourse of the Menerai historic site, had been clos
ed since 13:4:25, when an anonymous terrorist corn-call identified the popular t
ourist attraction as a target. With a dedicated unit of clone trooper guards pro
tecting the ancient outcropping of naked
Coruscant rock, the facility opened again. In addition to the 6,000 youths, over
10,000 civilians were in attendance, and the ceremony was broadcast live throug
hout the Core Worlds.
At the end of the march, the youths assembled at the North Garden. There, brigad
e leader Nenevanth Tion, a 15-year-old junior noble from Lianna, recited a speec
h from the Kitel Phard Dynasty of the Atrisi system. Invoking the ancient words
of the 54tn Emperor, Uueg Tching, Tion quoted from a speech regarding the routin
g of corruption.
"Even the greatest of trees can rot from within, but the vigilant gardener keeps
attentive to the signs of decay," recited Tion. "The Gardener is not afraid to
cut through the polished skin to tear away a malignant heart, to save the life o

f that tree. Those who seek shade under that tree would best remember the work o
f that gardener."
The youths then sang the central passage of Dha Verda Werda, the ancient Corusca
nt epic poem from the pre-Republic era.
Connected live via holocom, Supreme Chancellor Palpatine addressed the audience
to boisterous cheers. "It pleases me deeply to see such loyalty to the ideals of
the Republic. It is the strength of this new generation that will lift us from
the quagmire of treachery. I am inspired by your vision. It is this generation t
hat will bring a new order to this chaos."
The youth organization has drawn recent media criticism because its membership i
s composed almost entirely of humans. To date, non-humans makeup less than five
percent of the ranks, and of the aliens that have been admitted, all are of near
-human descent.
"This is sensationalist nonsense," insisted Crueya Vandron, advisor to the Supre
me Chancellor. "These echelons that gathered today mark the first generation of
the SAGroup brigadiers. We cannot help that the first to join happened to be of
human descent. We have non-human applicants, to be sure. Their applications are
still under review."
CORE EDITION | 15:01:03
VIRUJANSI PROCLAIM SKYWALKER "WARRIOR OF THE INFINITE"
UNPARALA, VIRUJANSI-The once-gleaming marble edifice of the Palace of Splendid H
armony, home of the ruling Ever Radiant Throne of Virujansi, still bore soot-sta
ins and blast-marks from a Separatist attack as the royal court held a special c
eremony to elevate Jedi Anakin Skywalker to the level of "Warrior of the Infinit
e" today.
The nameless Rajah, speaking through the royal court's Mouth of the Ancestors, r
ead the ancient text of proclamation. "There seem to be no limits to this remark
able young man," said the Rajah, switching to modern Basic as he ended his speec
h. "Jedi Skywalker has already rightly earned the title 'Hero With No Fear' in h
is exploits in battle. He is an unparalleled leader and a pilot without equal."
Although the title offers Skywalker no practical benefits on Virujansi or elsewh
ere, it is a revered rank only bestowed 29 times in the 6,000-year history of th
e royal court.
Skywalker and his commanding officer General Obi-Wan Kenobi had been dispatched
to Virujansi six days ago to combine their clone troopers and the local militia
into a combined force to throw off a Separatist occupation. Skywalker personally
led a joint squadron of clone trooper starfighter pilots and the Rarefied Air C
avalry, using the giant borecrawler cave network that permeates the Hollow Mount
ains to confound the Confederacy droid vulture fighters in close-quarter cavern
dogfights. Without air support, the Confederacy army, consisting of battle droid
s and Gossam commandos, was decimated by Kenobi's initiative.
Reporters gathered from throughout the sector were unable to ask Skywalker about
past exploits on Jabiim or Kamino as General Kenobi excused him from the confer
ence to attend to "other pressing business." The well-regarded Jedi heroes are n
ext shipping out to the Grumani sector to investigate increasing Separatist mili
tary activity there.
The Jedi Council has traditionally avoided public accolades, but as the war prog
resses, participation in such recognition has becoming increasingly common. Medi
a analysts postulate this is a deliberate attempt by the Jedi to build public op

inion during the trying times of galactic conflict. "It sounds absurd, sure, but
you can't deny that the Jedi are getting more and more coverage in the holomedi
a," says Androosin Liann, host of the popular Eriadu talk show Essense. "Maybe i
t's the Republic. Maybe it's the Council. It's as if someone is looking for a po
ster boy, and I don't think you can do much better than Skywalker."
SEPARATISTS SEIZE SHIPYARD PLANS
CORAL CITY, MON CALAMAR1-Although ongoing combat engagements in the Mon Calamari
system have kept the watery world from falling completely into the Separatist f
old, reports from the Mon Calamari Council have confirmed that vital technical d
ata is now in Confederacy hands.
An unidentified sheer or party of slicers raided the main information network of
the Mon Calamari shipyards and absconded with classified engineering documents,
starship plans, and performance data. Officials believe the attack to have been
spurred by agents of the Techno Union, who have long attempted to persuade the
Mon Calamari ship-builders to join the guild.
Senator Tundra Dowmeia has been assisting Republic authorities in tracking down
the slicers and examining security weaknesses in the Mon Calamari defenses.
CORE EDITION | 15:01:13
NEW MON CALAMARI COUNCIL PROMISES REFORM
MORJANSSIK CITY, MON CALAMARI - After months of violence and strained diplomatic
relations, the governments of Mon Calamari took steps to move beyond the civil
war of last year with the signing of a new accord between the two dominant speci
es of the water planet. Though open hostilities ceased as of 13:9:22 - the day a
Republic task force destroyed a Separatist-funded Quarren weapons program - the
purge of seditionist elements from the ruling Mon Calamari Council has taken a
year to accomplish.
Jedi Master Kit Fisto, leader of last year's task force, was in the Quarren city
of Morjanssik to oversee the signing of the accord. In a gesture meant to show
the significance of the agreement, Quarren Senator Tundra Dowmeia signed the doc
ument in his own ink.
"The Quarren Isolation League is no more, and the exploitation of our people wil
l end now," Dowmeia said in his resonating baritone voice to a predominantly Qua
rren audience. 'The new government of Mon Calamari will more properly reflect th
e will of our planet, not the will of the guilds that grew rich from our work."
"The Quarren who previously sat on the Council did not speak for the dwellers of
the surfaces or the depths," Mon Calamari Councilor Kalbrac explained to off-wo
rld media. "With the corruption now flensed from this body, the new government w
ill function as a voice for all the planet, Mon Calamari and Quarren alike."
The new accord radically restructures the makeup of the Mon Calamari Council. Th
ough constitutionally mandated to represent the Quarren and Mon Calamari people
equally, the Council has for decades been rife with corruption. In planetary aff
airs and within the Galactic Senate, the last three Senators have had strong tie
s to the Mining Guild, which perpetuated an isolationist policy to deter competi
tion in the planet's lucrative deep-sea ore-mining operations.
Though the Mon Calamari support this move, the Quarren see it as yet another bli
ght on Senator Dowmeia's record. "Dowmeia is a tool of the Republic and the Cals
," says Ruke Chowall, editor of Bends, a Quarren counterculture newsnet popular
in Morjanssik. "He's going to sell out our mines to the Mon Cals and open our se

as to who-knows-what. Mark my words: Before long, these seas will be bloodied ag

ain."
Valorum memorial unveiled to tightened security
JRADE DISTRICT, CORUSCANT-After repeated delays attributed to the newly heighten
ed Core Worlds Security Act, this afternoon finally saw the unveiling of Finis V
alorum Memorial in the Jrade District of Galactic City to a meager crowd of fewe
r than 200 spectators.
The Jrade Plaza surrounding the newly commissioned marcluro-stone statue has in
the past held tens of thousands of spectators, but today's sparse gathering was
dominated instead by the presence of clone troopers and Senate Guard security.
"Of course there should be more people here to pay their respects and remember f
ormer Supreme Chancellor Valorum today," said Senator Mon Mothma (Chandrila), "B
ut I imagine the nonstop Beta-level security alerts and endless clone patrols ar
e keeping people indoors."
Though a memorial to Finis Valorum had been approved and planned for the Jrade P
laza Chancellery Walkway immediately following his death in the terrorist attack
of 14:9:19, the plaza's public shutdown for security investigations delayed the
unveiling for weeks.
"We've been trying to let people know that the Jrade is once again open," said D
assa Borkannits, Director of Communications for the District. "I guess people ar
e still shaken up by it all."
Senator Bail Organa (Alderaan) read the dedication to Valorum: "In the days foll
owing the tragic and cowardly attack that claimed the life of this man, the news
of our loss was overshadowed by the security policies that it spawned," said Or
gana. "But Finis Valorum would never have backed such extreme reactionary measur
es and would have seen them as affronts to the freedoms he held dear."
CORE EDITION | 15:02:22
CLONE COMMANDER GRADUATES READY FOR ACTION
TIPOCA CITY, KAMINO - The first graduates of an advanced officer-training progra
m for the Grand Army of the Republic are ready for action.
Not all clones are created equal. Although they share the same genetic template,
a classified percentage of the Republic's clone troopers are designated command
ers at the embryonic stage. They undergo a specially tailored flash education pr
ogram and subtle genetic manipulation to emerge with the necessary command exper
tise on their very first missions.
Supplementing these virtual educational packages are grueling training programs
administered by members of the elite Advanced Recon Commandos, the ARC troopers
- even more specialized clones that are developed in smaller numbers. From the f
irst class of clone commanders have emerged 100 graduates ready for distribution
to the scattered battlefields of the Clone Wars.
"The canned edu-packs can teach a soldier only so much," said Alpha-17, lead ins
tructor at the Tipoca City training facility. "These commanders need the guidanc
e only seasoned combat veterans can provide."
"There's a galaxy of difference," said Commander Thire 4477, one of the graduate
s. "Sure, we understand that the neural pumps give us what feel like authentic c
ombat memories, but having the ARC drill sergeants making it real and overseeing

the simulations gives us the edge over the previous units."

One notable distinction of the ARC commanders is their use of given names in add
ition to serial numbers. Upon graduation, these clone commanders are officially
recognized by this identification.
"In the past, a desire for individuality led to the spontaneous creation of comb
at nicknames in the field," explains Kaminoan Prime Minister Lama Su. "A name wa
s once considered a flaw, but we have found that allowing names produces the des
ired effects of initiative and goal-setting. In command units, these unofficial
nicknames are formally recognized as a mark of distinction and excellence among
our most capable products."
Many of these command graduates will be stationed on worlds of the Corellian Tra
de Spine to counter recent Separatist advances along that hyperspace corridor.
NEW TAGGE BARON LEADS TECH INITIATIVE
UNLOS TAGGE, TEPASI - With a mandate to bridge the technological gap in the Clon
e Wars, prodigy Baron Orman Tagge has been named chair of a specialized tech ste
ering committee, part of the Analysis Bureau of Republic Intelligence.
"Too long has the enemy benefited from the research and innovation of the Techno
Union," said Armand Isard, director of the Senate Bureau of Intelligence, via h
olocomm. "We have assembled the brightest minds loyal to the Republic cause and
will counter anything the Separatists have to offer."
The appointment marks the second advancement for Orman Tagge, a technical master
mind just 17 standard years of age who was granted the title of baron last month
.
"The bold ideas of the House of Tagge have kept us leaders for generations," sai
d Tagge. "I vow to put aside any past competitive differences we may have had wi
th other firms that are still loyal to the Republic, and I extend an invitation
to the best engineers and scientists from Sienar, Kuat, Rendili and Corellian En
gineering to counter the growing threat."
CORE EDITION | 15:3:02
DURO FALLS TO GRIEVOUS
CONFEDERACY NOW CONTROLS VITAL SYSTEM
Duro Capitulates After Week-Long Fighting
Coruscant System Borders Bolstered
Onaconda Farr Steps Down From Action Committee
BORIBUS, CORUSCANT - With stunned silence, Republic viewers in the Duros Cultura
l Center in the Boribos Prefecture of Coruscant watched holographic footage broa
dcast from the besieged world of Duro confirming their worst fears - one of the
founding worlds of the Republic has fallen to the Separatist Supreme Commander,
General Grievous.
Dramatic images live from Duro's surface showed the Republic seal in flames, and
new flags bearing the hexagonal Confederacy emblem decorating the entrance to t
he Valley of Royalty.
"So, the Republic would have the galaxy believe that its heart is secure," said

Grievous in a Confederacy HoloNet transmission released by the Senate Bureau of

Intelligence earlier today. "Today's events, however, show that there is nothing
that can stop our forces from total victory."
SBI holography analysts confirmed that the imagery and transmissions were genuin
e and unaltered. Other transmissions released today corroborated earlier reports
detailing the fall of Duro.
Following the destruction of the Acclamator-class warships Founder, Annealer and
Doughty, the last of the Republic capital ships withdrew to the outer system. H
aving taken over Jyvus Space City, one of the largest orbital centers over Duro,
the Confederacy was able to drop the planetary shields protecting the world. Fr
om staging points on Jyvus, Separatist drop-fighters began orbital bombardment o
f the planetside industrial factories surrounding the valley.
The hermetic environments were ruptured and exposed to the toxic chemicals unlea
shed by the bombardment, allowing the droid forces of the Confederacy to easily
claim the world's surface capitals. Holographic imagery shows General Grievous f
orcing a haggard-looking Dura Chief Representative Officer Hoolidan Keggle to si
gn his capitulation to the Separatists.
"The taking of the ground was just a final insult from the General," said SBI Di
rector-General Armand Isard. "The Separatists had Duro the second they claimed J
yvus."
Isard fielded questions from reporters today at a media conference outside the S
enate Rotunda. "While I can assure citizens of Coruscant that we are safe, we wa
nt to continue stressing vigilance and preparedness. Winning this war will requi
re discomforts and sacrifice, but together we will persevere," he said.
Isard refused specific comment on the conduct of the Republic naval forces, part
icularly the lack or resupply from nearby Nubia. The sluggish response of Republ
ic reinforcements is currently under investigation, and Senator Onaconda Farr (R
odia), who had been in charge of the
Senate Action Subcommittee for Corellian Trade Spine Defense, has resigned his p
osition (see article 194.11).
Rotunda insiders speculate that this action could prompt Supreme Chancellor Palp
atine to do away with the various specialized "action subcommittees" in the Sena
te in favor of a stronger, centralized war office.
The Office of the Chancellor has given Admiral Terrinald Screed complete authori
ty in the deployment of Coruscant Planetary Defense resources. Isard assured the
media that such actions are not based on any intelligence reports indicating a
strike against Coruscant, but rather were "prudent precautionary measures."
The Office of the Supreme Chancellor was not available for comment.
CORELLIANS FEAR IMPENDING ATTACK
CORELLIAN NODE -With Duro a short distance down the Corellian Trade Spine, many
Corellians are now bracing themselves for an impending attack from the Confedera
cy. CorSec forces have been at maximum alert throughout the sector, particularly
in the protection of the Corellian Engineering Corporation shipyards.
Since before the outbreak of hostilities in the Clone Wars, Corellia has taken a
limited role in fighting the Separatist forces, producing warships to quota and
helping in the distribution of aid and medical supplies. Analysts predict that
since the fighting has come perilously close to Corellian borders, the tradition

ally isolationist sector will take a more active role in the war.
Despite political unpopularity, Corellia has proven to have many vocal allies in
the Senate. "This is not about politics," said Senator Fang Zar (Sern Prime), a
trading partner with the Corellian sector and a longtime political ally and per
sonal friend to Senator Garm Bel Iblis. "This is about helping people who may be
endangered."
Other Senators have not been so supportive. "Where were Senator Bel Iblis and hi
s forces when we needed them at Duro? He will soon come to realize that there co
mes a price to sticking your head in the sand," said Senator Orn Free Taa (Rylot
h).
SENATE ADMITS BUNGLING OF TRADE SPINE DEFENSE
SENATE ROTUNDA, CORUSCANT - A visibly emotional Senator Onaconda Farr (Rodia) te
ndered his resignation from the Senate Action Subcommittee for Corellian Trade S
pine Defense following the disastrous loss of Duro to Confederacy forces.
"It is with great regret that we were unable to head off the advancement of the
blasted Separatists and that Duro had to pay the price. I ask for an opportunity
of vengeance, but I will heed the advice of my colleagues to step down. Let me
add, though, that I do question the judgment of the SBI and the usefulness of wh
ipping the public into a panic by broadcasting those images [of Duro]."
"Now is not the time for such partisan finger-pointing," vice chair of the Senat
e Mas Amedda told reporters. "That there was a failure in procedure is without q
uestion. We're not looking to expend energies on punishment but rather on determ
ining what went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again. There will com
e time for retribution when the war is over."
CORE EDITION | 15:3:29
SENATORS FARR AND COOR CENSURED
SBI REPORT BLAMES SENATORS FOR DURO MISMANAGEMENT
CRIMINAL CHARGES EXPECTED SOON
SENATE ROTUNDA, CORUSCANT - Amid cries of criticism and shouts of "traitor!" Sen
ator Ronet Coor (Iseno) tendered his resignation following reports of criminal m
ismanagement that resulted in the capture of Duro by Separatist forces.
Early this morning, the Senate Bureau of Intelligence released its 25-datapage r
eport, authored by Agent Inglemenn Barezz. "We were able to get past the gravwel
ling of those involved and cut through the bureaucracy. We discovered the unfort
unate truth that insular politicking led to the fall of Duro," he told reporters
at a press conference.
The report analyzed why Duro was so poorly defended against the Separatist attac
k, finding that the system's orbital defensive platforms had been supplemented o
nly by meager capital-ship support, most of it in the form of carriers and trans
ports of limited effectiveness.
The system had been allocated three of the newly commissioned Venator-class Star
Destroyers, all of which were absent during the attack. Fraudulent requisition
datamemos placed the three vessels as undergoing "shakedown refurbishment" at a
classified location, but the SBI report revealed that they had been instead redi
stributed to the Rodia-Ando battlefront in the Mid Rim.

The report names Senator Onaconda Farr (Rodia) - then chair of the Senate Action
Subcommittee for Corellian Trade Spine Defense -responsible for the asset reloc
ation. Aid to Duro during the attack should have come from Iseno, but those wars
hips (whose complement remains classified) were also redistributed to Rodia.
"What was initially categorized as a bureaucratic misfiling has proven to be a d
irect and intentional act of unauthorized reallocation," states the report. "An
analysis of financial transactions and communiques prove Iseno's willing collusi
on in the act, in exchange for millions of credits and promised rebuilding contr
acts on Ando."
"How could this have happened?" asked Jorrigar SoBilles, a prominent Duros busin
essbeing. "This proves that the Senate cannot be trusted to wage this war. For t
he sake of other worlds that fall in the crosshairs of General Grievous, I hope
that a more authoritative body helms the defense."
SBI officials denied allegations that all prominent Rodian politicians were bein
g investigated for similar deceptions, though they did confirm that Executive Ad
ministrator Dar Wac had been questioned and cleared of any suspicions. "Please,
do not turn this into an issue of race," said Barrezz. "We are simply trying to
find the avenues through which such deceptions could be carried."
Though the office of the Supreme Chancellor refrained from comment, Rotunda insi
ders expect a full review of the structures and policies of Senate Action Subcom
mittees, with their dissolution possible in the near future.
Senators Lexi Dio (Uyter) and Padme Amidala (Naboo), vocal proponents of sector
rights of autonomy, have expressed concern over any such changes. 'This poor exa
mple should not dictate sweeping policy changes," said Senator Dio. "Do not let
the actions of two corrupt Senators paint the entire body as corrupt."
"While we join our colleagues in shock and disapproval of these Senators' acts,
we do not want to hear the Senate's voice silenced in these trying times," said
Senator Amidala. "Already there are cries for the Chancellor to directly steer t
he war; today, I heard esteemed Duros leaders demand that a human be placed in c
harge of battlefronts that overlap rival homeworlds; I cannot believe that these
short-sighted reactionary cries could become policy."