HoloNet News A Time for Unity

[Jayna Thorne]

It began as an open HoloNet to the public - originating within the Core, broadcast across social media and official channels. Weeks of preparation and planning had gone into the moment - building her own reputation and influence on Empress Teta. But it was the fall of Coruscant that had finally spurred Jayna Thorne to take action. To let her voice be heard by trillions watching from afar.

Standing behind a podium, Jayna faced towards the array of cameras - piercing silver eyes staring back at the gathering of reporters. She was dressed in a crisp, black suit - coupled with an expensive chrono and pin that kept her hair neatly tied into place. Whatever nerves she might’ve been feeling in that moment, none of them manifested across her face as the broadcast begun.

“Citizens of the Galaxy,” She began, her voice rolling smoothly across the plaza where they’d gathered. “I wish that I could address you on better terms - but I stand before you now because we are in a time of crisis.” Jayna continued. “I am here because the people of the Core - the people of this Galaxy - are suffering. Forced into uncertainty by the collapse of the Alliance and Republic - bleeding from those who would seek to take advantage of that vulnerability.”

“How many worlds must suffer under the yoke of opportunistic warlords? How many innocents must be butchered by genocidal monsters of the Sith, before we take a stand for ourselves? Before we realize that no foreign government will alleviate our plight for us?”

“Enough is enough.” Jayna said firmly. “No more will our people stand idly as the Tyrant of Hapan attempts to expand her domain. No more will we allow our brothers and sisters to be twisted into abomination by Darth Raze and his followers.” Her fingers curled into the sides of the podium. “No more will we be exploited by foreign governments - vultures seeking to pick at the corpse of the Alliance and Republic. To capitalize on this plight.” There was no mystery who the Heiress spoke of. “The very monster who led the butchery of Coruscant - who brought death to Mon Cala decades ago - would have you lay down your resistance. To willingly accept their reign of terror without a fight, under penalty of death.”

“But I will not wait for another world to burn. I will not accept the future they wish for the Galaxy. I cannot.” She shook her head. “It is past time for the people of the Core and Rim to unite - to drive back every horror that has been unleashed on our own. We will always be strongest together, and it is that which our enemies fear most. It is why they seek to sow division amongst us, and strike when we are at our weakest. I call upon the Jedi to live up to their oaths to the Galaxy.” She said. “To work alongside me, as we navigate the worst days ahead of us. I call upon the Jedi to be the protectors that our people need the most.”

Jayna took in a breath, silver eyes staring back at the cameras. “I am Jayna Thorne. And I stand before you now with a promise - that I will not rest until I ensure the safety and prosperity of our people. That I will not rest until I have forged an alliance worthy of our people, to protect and drive every monster from our homes."

 

[Augustus Shaw]

Augustus smiled as he sat behind his desk watching Jayna Thorne, whoever she was. Behind him through the frosted glass wall worked a hundred men, women and whatever sex some of those aliens called themselves. All in the striving for one vision, the extermination of the parasitic vermin that threatened the entire galaxy, the Force Using menace. He wondered how much money daddy Thorne had pumped into this little stunt, an ISC by another name it seemed, like father like daughter.

An hour or so later Augustus was ready to make his own address, however his, was less brash and bold stage, at least for now. It was initially sent publicly to Rendilli and its surrounding worlds, but it would spread through his followers and the like minded souls to reach the entire galaxy, by the most powerful tool of propaganda ‘Word of Mouth’.

Augustus wore a dark pinstripe suit, behind a small pedestal the logo of the Rendili Anti-Force User Society. “My fellow people of the Galaxy.” He began with arms held wide as if to embrace all that were listening, a sickly sweet smile on his face. Before dropping his arms. “Earlier today we were all greeted by the poignant words of a Thorne. I praise her, I do, for her willingness to stand up in such dark times and speak out against the injustices that are impacting our homeworlds here deep in the core and throughout the Galaxy.” His arms dropped, his head tilted back slightly as he continued, arms held behind him, his chest puffing out as he spoke. “She, as do I, see the truth of our wounded Galaxy, the villainous and vile nature of the Sith Order, the dastardly and devilish nature of the Empire and its Imperial Knights, and the corrupt and monstrous creatures serving Darth Raze and his Exalted. All looking to take advantage of our defenceless people in their time of greatest need, without true warriors to fight for them. However!”

He paused, his gaze shifted across the room, a half dozen of his most passionate and dedicated team stood behind the camera, white pearlescent smiles shining back at him high on the drug that was their fascination with ridding the Galaxy of the Force User menace. “However, Miss Thorne calls to the wrong people, for the Jedi Order in their high and mighty marble palaces are no better than the depraved creatures that bark at our door this very night. Who has so easily forgotten the incident on Kashyyyk? The Grandmaster’s attempt to manipulate the former Supreme Chancellor? Or The Jedi dragging the good people of the Republic and Free World Alliance into a deadly war all because of an ideological difference with their brethren.” He called out, his hand slamming on the pedestal with every point. “I need not remind you that the Sith, these so-called boogeymen we have all been brainwashed into thinking are the source of all evil in the Galaxy since birth, came from the very same Jedi that some signal to be paragons of virtue and justice.”

“They too have committed acts of war, terror and aggression across the galaxy, killing innocents by the thousands if not more. They are the same as the Sith, the same as the Imperial Knights, the same as The Exalted, they are all one group determined to rule and control the Galaxy whichever way they please. Intent on grinding their heels into the good and honest Citizens of this galaxy, striking down any who disagree with their preachings. They all have one thing in common, they all come from the same poisoned well, The Force.” Augustus spat the final two words.

“So I call to the good people of the Galaxy to not call upon one tyrant to fight another tyrant but to arm themselves against the Tyranny of all these cults. To cast away the shackles of servitude to these masters and to strike out. Rid our fields and streets, our towns and cities, our planets and systems. Rid them of the contemptible Force Users that wish to shackle us to their beliefs and build a new society free of these ideological genocides. A society for the many, not the few. A Free Society, a Free Galaxy!”

 

[Leon Baudelaire]

The hum of his lightsabers drowned out the roiling emotions vying for prominence in his consciousness. He was poised in his unconventional Adumari fencing stance. His silver blade, Moonlight, was held close to his chest, while the pale yellow beam of his inherited blade, Daybreak, was held languidly out before him.

The sparring droid brandished four training sabers, it’s stance was forward and hunched. Leon hated fighting this program, which was exactly why he was facing it down now. The droid shifted sliding a metal foot forward, Leon responded by altering his stance slightly. Daybreak was lifted into a forward angle overhead.

Both stopped. The whir of the droid's motors and Leon’s breathing was all that could be heard in the room— Suddenly, Peetwo burst into the room chittering like a droid possessed. Leon frowned, his eyes slipping to the little droid— His mechanical adversary attacked.

The force exploded from his hand crashing into the raging droid with enough power to knock the thing on it’s ass. Er, Caboose? Wait, what did you call a droid’s butt?

Peetwo twittered and chirped insistently. The little droid was so wound up, Leon found himself concerned something bad had happened, “Whoa Peetwo, slow down. What did you say about Jayna?”

The little Explorer droid’s excited prancing stopped on a credit and the blue translucent beam of his holoprojector flashed into life. Baudelaire frowned as a miniature image of Jayna came to life on the training room floor.

Leon deactivated his lightsabers, clipped them to his belt and crossed his arms over his chest. How much trouble was she about to involve him in? And why was he finding out about this over the holonet?

One galvanizing speech later and Leon was left looking like a fucking idiot. His face was a mixture of horror and pride? Like a smile interrupted by a sneeze just before a picture was taken.

Why? Why were both of the Twin’s like this? Once the initial shock of it was over Leon knew he didn’t have a choice. He had to get moving. There was work to be done, and if the Jedi wanted a fighting chance at participating in this pincer attack of a war, they’d need friends and ships.

Leon lowered his hand to Peetwo, “C’mon buddy, I’m done waiting on orders. The Force has spoken.”

Leon pulled out his EZphone and sent two text messages.

The first was to Ezra(@Sreeya): I had nothing to do with your sister’s speech.

The second was to Jayna(@Altaris): About time you joined the party.