HoloNet News Republic in Crisis! Senator Arrested, Vote of No Confidence called against the Chancellor!

[The Storyteller]

Across the HoloNet, the symbol of GNN flashed across screens - opening to the familiar panel of news anchors seated behind their desk. “Good evening folks,” A twi’lek woman sat at the middle of the desk, flanked by two additional co-hosts on either side of her. “I am Tysha Arnet - coming to you live with shocking developments coming out of the New Republic Senate.”

“In an absolutely stunning turn of events, Chancellor Xerxes has order for the arrest of Trina Kalist - Senator of Kuat - during the ongoing session of the Republic Senate, on charges of Sedition Against the Republic. This arrest comes after a proposal brought forward by Senator Kalist that would lift the ban on Force Users within Republic space - and directly after a Vote of No Confidence was issued against the leadership of Chancellor Xerxes, by none other than the senior Senator of Coruscant, Caliban Drast.”

“The Chancellor has justified these arrests, on the grounds of Senator Kalist’s attempts to, and I quote, ‘fund a private army’ and ‘seek an alliance with the Jedi’.”

One of the co-anchor’s turned to Tysha, brows knitting together. “Is there any facts behind these allegations?”

Tysha shook her head. “Despite some rumors, GNN is unable to confirm or deny the calidity of these shocking accusations by the Chancellor - or where this information was obtained. We have reached out to the Office of the Chancellor for further clarification. As this is a developing story, we will continue to update you all as new information is made available to us."

The camera panned to the third co-anchor - a Zeltron man in a crisp suit. “I would now like you take you all to Kuat - homeplanet of Senator Kalist - where mass protests have already begun to erupt. For a more in-depth look at this situation, we have Ariana Krell on the scene.”

Within moments, the HoloNet feed cut away from the GNN newsroom. Instead, viewers were transported to the streets of Kuat - where mass protests were already underway. It was a testament to the vast support that Trina commanded, and men, women and children all marched in the streets - yelling and shouting, signs pointed towards the sky.

“Thank you Davos,” Ariana answered, holding a microphone up to her lips. “I am here in Kuat City, where the populace are outraged by what they believe is the unjust, tyrannical arrest of their Senator. Thousands have taken to the streets in protest, while I am told that countless shipyard workers have gone out on strike - demanding the release of their beloved Senator before another warship is built for the Republic navy.”

Ariana walked towards the crowd of protests, extending the microphone towards one of the men holding a sign. “Sir, can you please tell me how you feel about the latest arrests on Coruscant?”

“It’s a fuckin’ outrage is what it is,” The man spat back into the microphone, his face twisted up in genuine anger. “No better than Palpatine all those years ago! Senator Kalist is a true leader, and recognizes the Sith Empire for what is - a threat! I remember Byblos, and those Imps will turn on us the moment the Jedi are gone. Jedi who have always defended us.”

He sneered. “Instead of letting the vote go through, the Chancellor makes up some bogus crimes and arrests her!” He shook his head. “‘Chancellor’ Xerxes is a tyrant and a threat to Democracy. And if he’s listening, I got one thing to say,” The man reached forward to pull the microphone towards himself. “Xerxes can suck my fat d–” The HoloNet feed abruptly cut off, returning to the GNN newsroom and trio of anchors.

“Thank you, Arianna.” The twi’lek sighed. “We have received additional reports coming out of Humbarine, Fedalle and Sarapin - where Senators have decried the actions of the Chancellor, demanding the release of Senator Kalist.”

“What this means for the future of the Republic remains to be seen - but we will be here to update you all as this story develops.”

 

[Claudias Tannaras]

​

The memory of the day when Sibyll had put the motion to join the ISC before the assembly was still a vivid one in his mind-- even though he hadn't been there. He was waiting to be let into the office of a planetary trade controller far out on the rim when the news came in. Claud had been shocked, angry, and he'd sent Sibyll a flurry of angry texts, to which she answered with her usual smarm and passive aggressiveness.

His mind played back the memory in his head as the news flashed across the screen. The Chancellor's chumminess with the Sith had always disturbed him, his alienation of the Jedi had angered him. He hadn't acted on any of this of course, yet now, as the image of the senator Kalist being clapped in irons was seared into his head, a sense of vindication washed over him.

Vindication, drowned out by despair.

Every day, his homeworld slipped further into oligarchy. Every day, the Sith conquered new worlds and the Jedi were driven closer into extinction. Every day, it just got worse-- and now, here was the chancellor of the Republic, arresting a senator for opposing him, treating her like a traitor for doing her job-- defending the republic.

Standing up, his cane clacked against the floor as he made his way over to a wine cabinet along the far wall of his study. He took his time opening up the vintage, letting it breathe, pouring it out before he took a long sip. This was going to hurt, and he needed the medicine.

"To the Honorable and exalted Governor of all Brentaal, Lady Sibyll of the house Lassiter,

I write now under the firm belief that I do, indeed, owe you an apology. We have in these past years disagreed on numerous subjects-- your choice to withdraw from the Republic being one of them."

He poured himself another glass-- and another.

"But for once, I think your own self interest and pursuit of personal advancement may have indirectly been to this world and it's people's benefit. You may think me a principled old fool, and for that you are also, though I loathe to admit, completely in the right, but tonight you will hear nothing but praise from me. You've saved Brentaal from being stuck in the clown-show that is the Republic, and provided this principled old fool with a great vantage point from which he can watch it turn to shambles. I do hope you'll watch with me, assuming you find the chancellor's attempts to swallow the Empress' boot as humorous as I do."

It had started professional, he said to himself. He thanked Sol for the AI assisted autocorrect, for near every word in the last sentence was incomprehensible otherwise.

Perhaps she had always had the right of it. His ideals had never carried him far, but Sibyll? She had the assembly's mandate, her accounts increased in value every year, and her voice carried more and more weight as time went on. She had power, and she used it.

"Let all the poisons that lurk in the mud hatch out." He declared, emptying his glass again. No one was listening, as always, but it didn't bother him. Not anymore.

​

@LouJoVi

 

[Sibyl Lassiter]

Sibyl was relaxing at her pool when Dongwa arrived, screaming about a message that she had received. The Governor was suddenly hit by a wave of deja vu, having the impression that such a scene had already happened. When she saw that the message was from Claudias (@Tom), the woman rolled her eyes. “What does this deformed aberration want this time?”

While she read it, Sibyl’s annoyed face changed to a smile and then she started to laugh. Dongwa stared at her, waiting to hear why his owner was acting this way. “Claudias is agreeing with me! I never thought that he would ever do something like that. I don’t know if I should be happy or afraid that it is a signal of the end of the Galaxy!”

“I’m going to save this message. It’s indeed a historical moment.” then she started to type an answer. It was brief, but there wasn’t any different way that she could do it.

I told you! Without any doubt, I love to watch their disgrace.