Issue 5 - April 3, 2000

37:22:3/L/IDN.3/TP/666.77/ (Imperial Defense Network-Teleprobe Node 3)

Thandruss executes official for bribery (2 weeks after ESB)

As part of an ongoing drive to rid itself of corruption, The Krytollak Empire executed a former deputy mayor for bribery Sunday.

Xheng Cho, 148, a former vice-mayor of Duigg in the southern province of Ggxi, was executed after a court rejected his appeal.

Cho was given the death sentence after he was convicted of accepting bribes in exchange for jobs and construction contracts, the official Xiana news agency reported.

The bribes totaled more than 510,475,000 Imperial Credits. The execution follows a report in a Krytollak news stack that Thandruss is preparing to arrest a former vice-minister of public security for taking bribes and covering up smuggling.

The former security official, under investigation for 16 months, was thrown out of the Krytollak Nobility because of the accusations.

He was found to have been "deeply involved" in Thandruss's biggest smuggling scandal in five decades in the southeastern city of Xenon.

Almost 200 Krytollak people are being investigated in the 1 billion credit scandal.

The case involves smuggling of firearms, Blasters, speeders, and natural resources and involves top Krytollak police officers, senior bankers and customs agents, and the former wife of an ally of Empress Devir in the powerful Nobel class.

The former security official, who had admitted the crimes, was likely to get a death sentence as the government tried to stress that no one was above the law.

The reports have not been confirmed by Thandruss officials. Thandruss has recently Intensified its crackdown on corruption, which Empress Devir has called a disease Threatening the nobility's grip on power.

36:3:22/DST/Fel/MIL

Investigation Leads to Strife for Outer Rim System (Era:ANH)

Fellis - Roughly six standard months ago, an Imperial detachment of officers and investigators were sent to the Fellis Sector in hopes of determining the whereabouts of a rebel special operations group. The investigation,which was expected to take only one or two months, is currently forcing Fellis to endure unacceptable hardship.

Starting nine months ago, an alleged rebel special operations team entered the Fellis Sector and began attacking several key Imperial installations. Three months passed, and local authorities quickly determined their efforts were inadequate against their foe.

On special request from Fellis Sector Moff Waltur Hexidess, a special investigation team was sent from the Core to catch the so called "Shadow Team Penumbra" that was instilling severe annoyance in the local Imperial authorities. In a press conference, Moff Hexidess announced that the investigative team would have "free run of the sector for the duration of their efforts," as well as full local cooperation.

Penumbra is reported to be a mercenary band of between 15 and 50 members. Their base of operations is believed to be a starship of unknown configuration, a strong possibility considering their extreme mobility they've shown in operations. They are considered to be very dangerous, and until several months ago, were being labeled as "terrorists against the state." Now, the Empire is taking the problem very seriously, after the loss of roughly 94 million credits in facility damages.

Moff Hexidess, however, is unpleased with the recent decisions and actions coming out of the investigative team. Starting four weeks ago, almost a third of Fellis Sector's 87 systems were put under blockade order. The Imperial Navy is supplementing local ships to aid in the "protection" order. Moff Hexidess had exhibited concern at the initial request for some of his sector fleet assets, but it wound up being a greater committment than he was prepared to make. Hexidess now says that Fellis Sector is in the same danger as before the blockades. "The loss of substantial sector fleet components to blockade duty has heavily defended regions unproven to be at risk, while leaving key areas of the sector exposed," said Hexidess in a Holonet interview.

At a press conference earlier in the week, the spokesperson for the investigative team pointed out that these "key areas" had already been hit, and that the blockaded regions were potential targets that Penumbra had yet to cover. Also pointed out was the fact that the investigative team is hoping to trap Penumbra within the blockaded region. Hexidess, in the same Holonet interview quoted above, found the team's tactics to be "absurd and based on whimsy rather than true examination of the facts."

Hexidess further pointed out that the damage to sector commerce and other aspects affected by the blockade are now costing more than the initial damage by Penumbra.

Written by Chris Boudreaux

 

34:6:1/IMN/K7C1/TIX.4.DES/MIL

Rebel Assault on Tixeon Kills Officer (Era: -1 ANH)

IMS Production Management Centre, Tixeon - Rebel forces attacked an Imperial freighter while it was in drydock last night. The freighter exploded, killing over fifty civilian crew members and injuring dozens more. In addition, Imperial General Zulak of the Imperial Department of Military Freight (IDMF), who was on board the freighter for governmental research purposes, is missing and presumed dead.

A Rebel force of four Y-wing starfighters jumped in from hyperspace as shift change was occuring. Two of Tixeon Outpost's TIE fighters put up a valiant fight, but they were unable to destroy the invaders before they took out the freighter. The Y-wings were subsequently destroyed by a System Patrol Craft as they tried to escape the area.

General Zulak, famous for his assault on Praksis, was deputy chief of the IDMF. Imperial High Command has scheduled a memorial service on 34:6:7 at 0900 hours.

- Imperial Military NewsNet

23:06:02/PIN/G87D/PAL.PAS.MRT/POL

Commerial Shipping Falling Under the Gun (Era: +2 RotJ)

Palvar Sector - In recent weeks, commercial raiding has dramatically increased. Local corporations and independent merchants are reporting extensive losses and citing both pirate and privateer attacks to be the cause. The local pirate cell, believed to be based somewhere in or near the Celmoore system, is suspected to be responsible for the vast majority of these attacks.

While the public points the finger largely at pirates, Aarlis Nacirem, commander-in-chief of the Palvar Defense Force, has a different theory. "It is true that common pirate scum plague the galaxy," noted Nacirem, "However, we cannot be too quick to place the blame upon them. Privateering in the sector has been on the rise in recent years, starting off with Alliance-sponsored raiding upon Imperial and Imperial-allied shipping. More recently, it has become a trend among competing corporations and political factions to sponsor such immoral crimes to impare the success of their competitors."

While there is little more than circumstantial evidence to support these accusations, there is just as little to disprove them. Statistically speaking, with an increasing New Republic presence in the sector, reported raids on Imperial and Imperial-allied shipping has skyrocketed. Raids upon corporate shipping has increased all around with no single corporation apparently being singled out. Interestingly enough, not a single transport or convoy bearing any relation to the Palvar Defense Force has been attacked in months - the PDF cites superb protection of its shipping lanes.

Written by Armage Bedar
Written by Ryan Matheny

 

~ Partial Transmission ~

Partial transmission received from Jasper Corp. scout, Hoit Het'len. > I...I don't know what it is. It looks like a ship. But it's...it's moving like a fish swims! I'm sitting here in the second asteroid belt of the Retk system. The ship is heading for Retk's fourth planet. I came into the system at 0830 hours galactic standard time. I then proceeded to make my sweep inward of the system. As I approached the fifth planet and the second asteroid belt of the system the ship showed up on my sensors. It is now 1446 hours and I've been stuck on this asteroid since 1021 hours. There are several smaller ships around the large one. I don't know if they are > hostile or not, but they are the most horrific thing I have ever seen. Wait something it happening, the ships, they're changing course! They're heading toward the belt!::pause::Something is on my sensor board...OH NO THEY'RE BEHI....

Transmission ends at 1459 hours galactic standard time.

New Republic Officially Purchases Incom Corporation

In a surprising move today, the New Republic has officially purchased the Incom Corporation. After many successful years of using the famed T-65 X-wing as the backbone of their starfighter squadrons, the New Republic finally decided to make the company an official part of their shipyards.

It is assumed that the New Republic will merge the current Incom Corporation with the former members of the design team who brought the X-wing and the E-wing to the Republic. These combined teams will simply take the name Incom/Frei’Tek Corporation, in hopes of mixing a little of the old with the new.

“This is a great day for the New Republic. The X-wing starfighter has always been a symbol of the New Republic, and has been ever since Luke Skywalker destroyed the Death Star in one. We have wanted the Incom Corporation as an official part of our manufactures for some time now, and with the combined efforts of Frei’Tek and Incom we should be seeing quite a few wonderful, new starfighters being produced in the near future,” says New Republic spokesperson Corben Dulles.

The contract bringing Incom to the New Republic states that, “any design that is produced from the Incom/Frei’Tek Corporation from this day forward is the property of the New Republic. The New Republic has free reign on how many of the new design are produced and to whom they are distributed. If a new design is rejected by the New Republic, the workers may not sell it to another consumer under any circumstances.”

“We well are aware of our limitations in officially joining the New Republic. We have made some of our best profits from independent consumers. However, in the age old saying ‘learn from your enemies,’ we have seen what joining the Empire has done for Sienar Fleet Systems and so we have decided that joining the New Republic will greatly increase our workforce, our profits, and our job security,” states Incom’s head of public relations, Karel Cepier.

Written by Will Cilvik
Written by Craig Feely

 

STARBURST SENTINEL

55:5:17/SSL/VAT.1.GWU/GEN

Jedi Sent to Trade Talks, Given Forced Welcome (Era: ROTJ+16, a year after the Hand of Thrawn)

Gin-Wu City, Vateen - In the wake of delays during the trade and amnesty talks between the planetary governments of Vateen and its in-system neighbor, Urpishaan, a surprise move by the New Republic Diplomatic Corps has put local officials into a state of unrest.

By special request, Jedi Knight Galen Quaan, now two years out of his seven-year period of study at Luke Skywalker's Yavin IV academy, has been sent to restart the talks and hopefully assist the two worlds in reaching a settlement. These rare sister worlds, both habitable and orbiting the same star, have had commerce and territorial disputes scattered throughout their spacefaring history, due to a remarkable similarity in their import and export products.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge of these talks," said Quaan in a brief interview before his departure from Coruscant. "There's a very rich relationship nestled in the people of these worlds. I will look to the guidance of the Force in leading those people to that relationship."

However, it seems that the leadership of both planets is less then enthusiastic about the presence of a Jedi during their negotiations, as buried prejudices spring up ageless from the past.

"I was ruling this planet when the Jedi fell," recalls Vateeni Prelate Chij'xon Xell-Fiir. "I watched them go from greatness to desolation in a heartbeat. For all their wisdom, they never knew what hit them. Where were they, during the Second War of Vateen? Where were they, every other time the Vateeni have sought peace with their neighbors? Surely, now is not the time for the Jedi to start caring. We have done quite well on our own."

Urp President Melek Ibsahen expresses other, if dissimilar, concerns. "We've seen what can happen when one of these Jedi gets out of control. Even Master Skywalker himself has apparently had his struggles with that. And have we already forgotten the destruction of Carida? Not that anyone will miss it... but you see my point."

Jedi Quaan was not available for comment about these concerns, as he was in transit with his envoy. He will be arriving in the Outer Rim Vateen system next week.

Written by Landon Darkwood

 

SHORT STORY

Thorn, an Iotran Bounty Hunter, was an ex employee of, Crimelord, Burtha the hutt. Thorn was set-up (at the hands of Burtha), and put on an Imperial prison planet for life, when he escaped with rebel operatives, he went into training to seek revenge on Burtha.

He studied his "Shaakaa," (a martial art used by his family "Vorleen" back home on Iotra) for a year, in between missions for the rebellion.

Then, after saving the Chadick sector capital from almost certain destruction, he decided it was time. He gathered his only posetion, a heavy blaster pistol, and set off with his companions, to rid the galaxy of Burthas putrid existence.

Thorn was dropped off on planet Amber with his companions. The Pilot was told not to return, for Thorn's companion Jennas', ship was being held in Burtha's posetion, from where they intended to take it.

Scouting around Thorn found that, seeing as Burtha employed 6 heavy repeating blasters around his base, it was impenetrable on foot.

After a scuffle with savages on the planets surface, they managed to get into the subway system under the ajacent city to Buthas stronghold, hoping to be able to get into it from underneath.

Thorn fought off the floating droid security with the help of his companions, just as the last droid blew up, the door (that was open) started to close, Thorn ran over and tried to keep the door open for his companions, they were too slow so he jumped into the lift. After a minuet the door slip open, before Thorn were twelve Bounty Hunters, guns pointing at him. Some of them recognised him from a long time ago, so they got into the lift, with Thorn, to go and see what happened to the security droids. They captured Thorns companions, but it was all part of the plan to infiltrate Burthas establishment. They looked at Thorn like he was a traitor, but he couldn't say anything in fear of having his cover blown.

Everyone was lead into Burtha's audience chamber. The companions were just about to be fed to Burtha's Kryat Dragons, when an Iotran spoke up, Burtha would have had him killed, but the Iotran showed Burtha a strange glowing red disc on his arm. he moved forwards and played a holographic film, it was a Dark Jedi, asking for Thorn and his companions to be bought to him, for they had some very valuable information.

Later on, Burtha makes Thorn a secret offer in his chamber: He can have anything he wants if he tells Burtha the secret piece of information instead of the dark Jedi. Thorn demands his companions are bought to him, they were. After a few questions and a map of the sector bought up so Thorn could tell Burtha where the object he wanted was situated, he grows impatient and has jenna (who owed Burtha allot of money, and Burtha knows he was here to kill him) lifted up on a small crane and slowly lowered into the Kryat dragon pit, in the middle of the chamber.

Just then the lights go off. Burtha demands to know what was going on, he is told that Gremlins are in the power planet!

In all the dark confusion Thorn, in one fluid movement, jumps from his seat to Burtha and, in a blur of fast hand and leg attacks, cuts Burtha to pieces. The guards, dumbstruck, stand still watching as their beloved Burtha is slain at the hands of Thorn. Thorn then jumps from the body and in another fluid movement, cuts two more guards down and knocks the head bounty hunter over. Spinning and dodging all the blaster fire from Burthas, now very angry guards, Thorn proceeds to take out many more guards using only his bare Iotran hands. A few of his companions fall into a pit with Burthas hungry Kryat Dragons, and one unfortunate companion has her arm torn off.

As the last of the guards are dealt with, and the possibility of more on their way, Thorn gathers his companions and makes a quick exit, up to the ship docking area.

Thorn exited the Audience Room to be surrounded by the bounty hunters (all big guns & bad attitude). Jenna & Thorian pointed out to them that Burtha was dead & they no longer had an employer. If they had any doubts, Gorgathor (the head bounty hunter) staggered out after the group and pointed at Thorn and said "He killed Burtha!". As no-one was paying them to kill thorn anymore, and Jenna helpfully pointed out that there was lots of loot lying around for them to grab, they lost interest in Thorn and rushed off to grab as much as they could.

Thorn then got up to the spaceport. Word of Burtha's death had spread. The fences were down, everyone was in a panic, trying to get to a ship so they wouldn't be stranded. As Thorn reached the plain he see Oognee (Burtha's Twi'lek lieutenant) and the two guards who left with him climb into a long, black, sleek-looking ship with a red disc painted on the side, which then immediately took off.

Thorn got into his ship, with his injured companions, and blasted away from the late Burthas' stronghold.

Written by Sir Jagalot


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